Microsoft and the Federal Government say more than 350,000 Nigerians have so far been trained in artificial intelligence skills under the AI National Skills Initiative (AINSI), a programme designed to prepare the country’s workforce for the digital economy.
The milestone was announced at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday. The initiative follows a $1 million investment announced by Microsoft in February to provide AI training for one million Nigerians.
The General Manager of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, Mr. Abideen Yusuf, said artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping economies, warning that countries which fail to invest early in skills development risk being left behind.
“Nigeria cannot afford to wait. We must equip people now, at scale and with intent,” Mr. Yusuf said.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Data Science Nigeria, and Lagos Business School. It targets public sector leaders, developers, and everyday technology users, with a focus on building practical, job-relevant AI capabilities.
According to Microsoft, the broader AINSI programme has delivered AI-related training to more than four million Nigerians to date, while the current phase aims to train one million people over a three-year period.
The Dean of Lagos Business School, Prof. Olayinka David-West, said AI skills have become central to Nigeria’s competitiveness, stressing that equipping citizens and leaders with digital capabilities is critical for inclusive growth and innovation.
The Founder of Data Science Nigeria, Dr. Bayo Adekanmbi, said 99 public sector leaders, including members of the National Assembly and senior officials from 58 ministries, departments, and agencies, have received training focused on AI-powered reporting and sector-specific planning.
Dr. Adekanmbi added that more than 1,600 developers have also been trained in areas such as machine learning, data science, and DevOps.
Microsoft and the Federal Government said plans are under way to expand AI and cybersecurity training programmes, strengthen developer pipelines, and broaden access to digital skills to better position Nigeria’s workforce for the demands of the digital economy.
