The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with Google, on Thursday launched a capacity-building initiative aimed at equipping civil servants with artificial intelligence (AI) skills to drive public sector productivity and unlock an estimated $1.75 trillion in annual economic value by 2033.
The training, held in Abuja, is part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s bureaucracy and position AI as a key enabler in achieving President Bola Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy target by 2030.
AI to Power Nigeria’s Economic Transformation — Tijani
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the initiative underscores government’s commitment to embedding AI-driven solutions across all sectors of governance and service delivery.
“We see artificial intelligence as a major driver of productivity across our key sectors,” Tijani said.
“We have been investing in ensuring our public service is equipped with AI tools that can shorten administrative processes, improve efficiency, and deliver better outcomes for Nigerians.”
He explained that the programme would deepen the capacity of civil servants in sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, and governance, ensuring that AI becomes “native” to government operations.
Tijani added that Nigeria’s digital economy strategy aligns with global trends, where AI is expected to generate trillions in productivity gains within the next decade.
Google: Building Smarter, More Inclusive Public Service
Speaking on behalf of Google, Olumide Balogun, the company’s West Africa Director, said the partnership reflects Google’s long-term commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“Championing Nigeria’s digital transformation means investing in the people who shape its future,” Balogun stated.
“By working hand-in-hand with public sector leaders and practitioners, we are providing not just tools, but the knowledge needed to deliver smarter, more inclusive governance.”
Balogun added that the training would enable public officials to leverage AI to improve service delivery, policy outcomes, and citizen engagement.
Apolitical: AI Training Key to Good Governance
Chris Ferguson, Vice President at Apolitical, a global learning platform partnering in the initiative, said structured training was essential to successful AI adoption in government.
“Structured training is the cornerstone for successful AI adoption,” Ferguson noted.
“This initiative will equip Nigerian public servants with the skills to lead digital transformation with confidence and foresight.”
The programme is expected to train thousands of civil servants across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), with emphasis on practical applications of AI in decision-making, data analysis, and service optimisation.
