The Federal Government, in partnership with Google, has launched a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme for public servants aimed at modernising governance and improving service delivery.
Unveiled on Thursday in Abuja, the initiative is part of the Apolitical Government AI Campus, a global hub for AI excellence in the public sector supported by Google. It is being delivered through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Speaking virtually at the launch, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy and ensure Nigeria is not left behind in the global AI race.
“AI is now central to improving productivity in key sectors like food security, education, and healthcare,” Tijani said. “But investments in strategy and tools will mean little if public servants are not empowered to use them.”
He highlighted steps already taken by the government, including the development of a national AI strategy, the creation of a National AI Trust, the AI Collective, and the launch of a government-backed multilingual large language model.
The minister stressed the need to embed AI into government processes, from streamlining administrative tasks to improving citizen service delivery, and described the AI Campus as key to making AI “native” to Nigeria’s public service.
Google’s Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for West Africa, Adewolu Adene, said the training would be delivered in phases. The first phase will target senior decision-makers to build awareness of AI’s strategic value. Mid-level executives will then be trained on applying AI to day-to-day functions, followed by a broader rollout for civil servants across various sectors.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Nigeria’s public sector to transition from digital to intelligent governance,” Adene said.
Supporting this, Google’s Director for West Africa, Olumide Balogun, said the company’s mission includes empowering those shaping Nigeria’s future. “This partnership will give public officials the tools they need to deliver smarter, more efficient services,” he said.
Google Communications Manager, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, noted the company’s ongoing investments in Nigeria, including digital skills training, the Equiano subsea cable, and support for start-ups.
He said the AI Campus is designed to benefit not just the public service but ordinary Nigerians by improving healthcare, education, and access to government services.
Vice President at Apolitical, Chris Ferguson, emphasized that structured training is essential for effective AI adoption in governance. “This initiative will equip Nigerian public servants with the confidence and skills to lead digital transformation,” he said.
The launch is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. In October 2024, The Telegraph reported that Nigeria secured a ₦2.8 billion grant from Google to expand AI talent development and bridge the country’s digital skills gap.
The following month, Google reaffirmed its commitment to using AI as a transformative tool for Nigeria’s economic growth.
