Google, through its charitable arm Google.org, has pledged N3 billion to Nigeria to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) training and strengthening digital safety. The announcement was made on Friday during a press conference in Lagos.
The initiative will channel resources through five local organisations with proven records in human development: FATE Foundation, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), African Technology Forum, Junior Achievement Africa, and the CyberSafe Foundation.
The programme follows a two-pronged approach. One strand aims to develop advanced AI talent, equipping students and lecturers with cutting-edge skills through curricula integration and innovation challenges. FATE Foundation, in collaboration with AIMS, will lead the Advanced AI Upskilling Project targeting tertiary institutions across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. Meanwhile, the African Technology Forum will guide developers from learning to creating practical AI solutions.
The second strand targets digital safety. Junior Achievement Africa will expand its “Be Internet Awesome” programme to teach youths safe online practices, while the CyberSafe Foundation will work to improve cybersecurity in public institutions, protecting sensitive data and digital infrastructure.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, welcomed the investment, noting that AI is central to Nigeria’s ambition to increase productivity and compete globally in technology. “This collaboration directly supports our drive to operationalise our National AI Strategy and position Nigerian innovators at the forefront of the global AI revolution,” he said.
Olumide Balogun, Google’s Director for West Africa, said the N3 billion commitment builds on Google’s long-standing investments in Nigeria, including the Equiano subsea cable and the 2023 Skills Sprint programme, which trained over 20,000 participants in AI and tech.
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According to research by Public First, Nigeria is projected to unlock $15 billion in economic value from AI by 2030, highlighting the importance of both skills development and digital safety for sustainable growth. The programme also supports the government’s goal of creating one million digital jobs in the coming years.
Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director of FATE Foundation, described the initiative as a “groundbreaking project” addressing the urgent need for deep AI competencies in Africa, aiming to empower students, lecturers, and innovators across the continent.
The initiative signals a significant private-sector partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem while nurturing a skilled workforce ready to participate in the global AI economy.