Google, through its philanthropic arm Google.org, has announced a substantial commitment of N3 billion to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation, with the funds strategically focused on cultivating advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent and strengthening the nation’s digital safety infrastructure. The initiative, revealed at a press conference in Lagos, operates on a two-pronged approach, funneling resources through five established local organizations.
The first crucial strand of the investment is dedicated to developing AI expertise. Organizations like the FATE Foundation, in collaboration with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, will integrate advanced AI curricula into universities to equip students and lecturers with cutting-edge knowledge. Simultaneously, the African Technology Forum will launch an innovation challenge aimed at guiding developers from theoretical learning to creating practical, real-world AI solutions. This drive directly supports the government’s goal of creating one million digital jobs and operationalizing its National AI Strategy.
The second key focus is on bolstering digital safety. Junior Achievement Africa is set to expand its “Be Internet Awesome” curriculum to educate more young people on safe online practices. Concurrently, the CyberSafe Foundation will work to enhance the cybersecurity posture of public institutions, helping them safeguard sensitive data and digital infrastructure from rising threats.
This timely commitment was praised by the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who highlighted that AI is central to Nigeria’s ambition to raise productivity and compete globally in technology and innovation. This collaboration is viewed as a vital private-sector partnership that will nurture talent and build a more resilient digital ecosystem. This investment builds on Google’s long-standing support for Nigeria, including its infrastructure investments like the Equiano subsea cable, and positions the country to unlock an estimated $15 billion in economic value from AI by 2030.
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