In a major boost for digital skills development, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), in partnership with the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and supported by Microsoft, has launched a nationwide AI training programme for the Nigerian workforce.
The initiative, titled AI Xcelerate, was unveiled on 9 July 2025 during the Employers’ Group session at the International Labour Conference in Geneva. It offers free access to IOE’s AI Fluency learning platform, aimed at helping Nigerian workers, employers, and youth understand and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the workplace.
The training includes seven modules and 31 lessons covering: fundamentals of AI, AI’s impact on job roles and business models, ethical AI usage and practical application of AI tools. Courses are currently available in English, French, and Spanish, with an Arabic version forthcoming.
This effort is part of Microsoft’s broader commitment to train one million Nigerians by 2026, first announced during the Microsoft AI Tour in Lagos. The tech giant has projected that AI could contribute up to $15 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030.
Enrollment is open to employers, employees, and young professionals, with NECA urging organisations to register their workforce on the IOE’s official platform.
According to NECA, this initiative supports a long-term vision of fostering inclusive, ethical, and innovation-driven AI adoption across Nigerian industries, ensuring the country remains globally competitive in the digital economy.
