Speaking at a media roundtable in Lagos on Tuesday, Nonye Ujam, Microsoft’s Director for Government Affairs in West Africa, highlighted the scale of the company’s ongoing engagement in the country. “These milestones underscore Nigeria’s commitment to thriving in the digital economy,” Ujam said.
According to recent figures, approximately 350,000 Nigerians have participated in Microsoft’s specialized student programs, with 63,000 completing structured training pathways and 43,000 receiving globally recognized certifications. Building on this momentum, Microsoft plans to train an additional 350,000 citizens in AI skills under its National Skills Initiative.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Government, Data Science Nigeria, and Lagos Business School, reflecting a multi-stakeholder approach to workforce development. Ujam emphasized that these programs aim to upskill five million Nigerians over time, preparing them for the evolving demands of the digital economy.
“Microsoft is equipping developers for the future through developer-focused programs, creating a strong pipeline of technical talent,” Ujam said. She added that government-driven initiatives, such as Developers in Government (DevsInGov) and the Three Million Technical Talent Initiative (3MTT), have helped public sector developers acquire new competencies.
To date, around 645 participants have received training in analytics and AI integration, while approximately 1,000 developers have advanced their skills in DevOps, machine learning, and data science. “These efforts are helping Nigeria’s workforce prepare for the future by advancing AI fluency across the digital ecosystem,” Ujam noted.
Abideen Yusuf, Microsoft’s Country General Manager for Nigeria and Ghana, added context to the broader AI adoption landscape. According to Yusuf, Nigeria’s current AI adoption rate is 8.7%, slightly below the Sub-Saharan African average of 10%. With Africa projected to gain $1.5 trillion in GDP from AI by 2030, Yusuf stressed that Nigeria’s youthful population, with a median age of 18, must be positioned to lead in the sector.
“Nigeria cannot afford to wait. AI is reshaping every sector, and countries that move fastest on skills will lead,” he said. Microsoft’s focus, he explained, is on three key areas: frontier innovation, infrastructure including connectivity and power, and, most critically, skills development.
The importance of leadership and governance in AI adoption was underscored by Mrs. Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School (LBS). Speaking at the event, she highlighted that 99 public sector leaders from 58 agencies have already been trained in AI, ethics, governance, and risk management. “AI skilling is no longer optional for Nigeria’s digital future—it forms the foundation of the nation’s competitiveness,” she said. David-West added that Microsoft’s program aims to reach one million Nigerians within the next three years, embedding AI skills across all sectors of the economy.
Dr. Bayo Adekanmbi, Founder of Data Science Nigeria, emphasized the importance of reaching grassroots communities. With Microsoft’s support, 38 training partners nationwide have been equipped with the necessary infrastructure to remove barriers to learning. Adekanmbi highlighted that building AI readiness requires coordinated investment among government, developers, educators, and communities.
“True digital transformation occurs when the entire ecosystem moves forward together,” Adekanmbi said, noting that the initiative aims to foster evidence-driven governance, responsible innovation, and community adoption.
Microsoft reiterated its commitment to making AI widely accessible and responsibly deployed, aligning with its mission to empower every person and organization to achieve more.