FG Secures N2.8 Billion Google Grant to Drive AI Talent and Innovation in Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a N2.8 billion grant from Google to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) talent development nationwide. This collaboration aims to bridge skill gaps and position Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation across Africa.

At a press briefing in Abuja, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced that the Google grant will support initiatives to train young Nigerians and boost AI startups. This strategic move is expected to enhance job creation and strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience.

“This support from Google reaffirms our commitment to establishing Nigeria as a hub for AI innovation,” said Tijani. “Through Google’s resources and expertise, we’re equipping Nigerians with essential skills to excel in the global digital economy, marking a significant milestone toward an inclusive and innovative future for the country.”

The grant forms part of Google’s $5.8 million investment in digital skills across sub-Saharan Africa, and follows Nigeria’s recent N100 million AI fund launched in collaboration with Google. Tijani highlighted the program’s focus on key areas like healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, with selected AI startups tackling local challenges to promote sustainable economic growth.

He emphasized that achieving meaningful development requires a strong ecosystem and partnerships: “The transformation we seek in Nigeria can’t be achieved by the government alone. Our role is to set the agenda, while collaborations like Google’s help build the economy we envision.”

Matt Brittin, Google’s EMEA President, added that the grant will fuel Nigeria’s “3 Million Technical Talents” (3MTT) initiative, aimed at cultivating AI expertise for 20,000 Nigerians over four years. The 3MTT program, launched on October 13, focuses on expanding Nigeria’s technical talent pool and positioning the nation as a major contributor of digital skills globally.

Through this initiative, Google plans to train 125,000 educators and empower 10 Nigerian AI startups with N100 million in funding, $3.5 million in Google Cloud Credits, and mentorship from Google engineers. “Our commitment of N2.8 billion to the Data Scientists Network Foundation aligns with the Minister’s vision for advancing AI skills and opportunities across Nigeria,” Brittin said.