Microsoft has announced a $1 million initiative to train 1 million Nigerians in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills over the next two years. The announcement, made at an event in Lagos on Wednesday, underscores the company’s expanding role in Africa’s AI ecosystem as it seeks to equip young Nigerians with skills for the evolving global economy.
The program will be led by Microsoft Nigeria in collaboration with Tech4Dev, Data Science Nigeria, and other partners. Microsoft executives emphasized AI’s transformative potential on the continent, positioning the initiative as a step toward preparing Africa’s workforce for future jobs.
However, the ambitious scale of the project—training 1 million people with just $1 million—raises feasibility concerns. That equates to $1 per trainee, prompting questions about the depth and quality of training offered.
Microsoft has not fully disclosed the structure of the training program. It remains unclear whether it will focus on introductory AI awareness, hands-on technical training, or industry certifications. Olatomiwa Williams, Managing Director of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, suggested that Microsoft will build on previous AI upskilling efforts in Nigeria.
“We are thrilled to bring our mission to life by investing in Nigeria’s talent. Our goal is to empower every person and organization to achieve more, and this investment is a step towards ensuring that Nigerians are equipped to harness the opportunities presented by the fifth industrial revolution, which AI drives,” said Williams.
Williams also noted that Microsoft has worked with Nigerian AI startups in the past and claims the company has reached 4 million Nigerians through its digital skills programs since entering the country.
Microsoft is not the only Big Tech firm betting on Nigeria’s AI future. In October 2024, Google announced a ₦2.8 billion ($1.7 million) grant to support AI talent development in Nigeria. This was part of its broader $5.8 million digital skills commitment across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Google’s program is focused on deep AI research and startup development, while Microsoft appears to prioritize mass upskilling. However, Google’s funding surpasses Microsoft’s despite its smaller target audience.
Microsoft sees AI as a key economic driver for Africa, with the potential to add $15 billion to Nigeria’s GDP and $1.5 trillion to the continent’s economy by 2050.
“There is an IDC study that found that for every $1 invested in AI, businesses could expect to see a return of $3.5,” said Lilian Barnard, President of Microsoft Africa. “It’s important that we start making sure that we tick the boxes on economic growth, business return on investment, and opportunities for upskilling and reskilling.”
While Microsoft frames this as a social investment, the initiative also aligns with its strategic business interests. With AI adoption rising, companies like Microsoft stand to benefit from a larger pool of skilled professionals who could become future customers or employees. The initiative could also help drive adoption of Microsoft’s AI tools and cloud services among Nigerian developers and businesses.
