Microsoft, Federal Government Train Over Four Million Nigerians in Digital Skills
Microsoft has disclosed that its partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria has trained more than four million Nigerians in digital skills since 2021.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Nonye Ujam, Director for Government Affairs at Microsoft West Africa, during a media roundtable held in Lagos.
Ujam said the milestone reflects Nigeria’s growing commitment to building a future-ready workforce and strengthening the country’s digital economy.
Student Programmes and Global Certifications
According to Ujam, recent data shows that about 350,000 individuals have actively participated in Microsoft’s specialised student-focused programmes.
She added that:
- 63,000 participants completed specific digital training pathways
- 43,000 participants earned globally recognised certifications
“These figures highlight the increasing demand for advanced digital and technical skills among Nigerian youths,” she said.
Microsoft to Train 350,000 Nigerians in AI Skills
Ujam also announced plans to train an additional 350,000 Nigerians in artificial intelligence skills under Microsoft’s National AI Skills Initiative (AINSI).
She noted that the programme is being implemented in collaboration with Data Science Nigeria and Lagos Business School.
“Microsoft is equipping developers for the future through developer-focused programmes, creating a strong pipeline of technical talent,” Ujam said.
Government-Led Developer Programmes Gain Momentum
Ujam highlighted several government-driven initiatives, including Developers in Government (DevsInGov) and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme led by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
She said these initiatives have helped public-sector developers acquire new skills needed to modernise government services and improve digital delivery.
Nigeria’s AI Adoption Still Below Regional Average
Speaking at the event, Abideen Yusuf, Country General Manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, said Nigeria’s AI adoption rate currently stands at 8.7%, slightly below the Sub-Saharan African average.
“Nigeria cannot afford to wait. AI is reshaping every sector, and the countries that move fastest on skills will lead,” Yusuf said.
He explained that Microsoft’s strategy focuses on three core areas:
- Frontier innovation
- Infrastructure, including connectivity and power
- Skills development
Yusuf added that through close collaboration with the government, Microsoft is helping leaders, developers, and technology users adopt AI and maximise its impact across the economy.
Public Sector Leaders and Grassroots Learners Included
Providing further insights, Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School, said the partnership has trained 99 public-sector leaders drawn from 58 government agencies.
“At LBS, we believe equipping leaders and citizens with AI capabilities is essential for inclusive growth, innovation, and national transformation,” she said.
David-West noted that AI training also covers governance, ethics, and risk management, with applications in sectors such as agriculture and credit access.
Bayo Adekanmbi, Founder of Data Science Nigeria, represented by Business Lead Aanu Oyeniran, said the programme is structured to reach learners at the grassroots level.
He explained that building capacity in evidence-based governance, responsible innovation, classroom integration, and community adoption is critical to developing a globally competitive workforce.
Nigeria’s Expanding Digital Skills Landscape
Nigeria has seen a surge in federal-led digital skills initiatives in 2025 aimed at equipping citizens with technical and future-ready competencies.
Notably, the Federal Ministry of Education recently partnered with Amazon Web Services to launch free digital skills training for students and educators across tertiary institutions.
The programme focuses on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, and is already live in more than 40 universities and polytechnics nationwide.
