Microsoft has revealed that its ongoing partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria has helped more than four million Nigerians acquire digital skills over the past four years.
The disclosure was made on Tuesday by Nonye Ujam, Director of Government Affairs at Microsoft West Africa, during a media roundtable held in Lagos.
According to Ujam, the achievement underscores Nigeria’s determination to build a digitally skilled workforce and accelerate the growth of its digital economy.
Thousands Complete Advanced Training and Earn Certifications
Ujam disclosed that approximately 350,000 Nigerians have taken part in Microsoft’s specialised student-oriented digital skills programmes.
She noted that within this group:
- Over 63,000 learners completed structured digital learning tracks
- About 43,000 participants obtained globally recognised professional certifications
She said the figures reflect rising interest among young Nigerians in acquiring advanced technology and digital competencies.
Microsoft Targets 350,000 Nigerians for AI Training
Microsoft also announced plans to train an additional 350,000 Nigerians in artificial intelligence skills under its National AI Skills Initiative (AINSI).
Ujam explained that the programme is being delivered in partnership with Data Science Nigeria and Lagos Business School.
“Through developer-focused initiatives, Microsoft is preparing local talent for the future and building a strong pipeline of technical professionals,” Ujam said.
Government Developer Initiatives Strengthen Public Sector Skills
Ujam highlighted several government-backed programmes supporting digital talent development, including Developers in Government (DevsInGov) and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
She said these initiatives have improved the technical capacity of developers within the public sector, enabling more efficient and modern digital government services.
Nigeria’s AI Adoption Lags Regional Average
Also speaking at the event, Abideen Yusuf, Country General Manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, said Nigeria’s AI adoption rate stands at 8.7%, slightly below the Sub-Saharan African average.
“Nigeria cannot afford to delay. Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, and countries that invest early in skills development will lead,” Yusuf said.
He explained that Microsoft’s approach in Nigeria focuses on three priority areas:
- Innovation at the frontier
- Infrastructure, such as power and connectivity
- Skills development
According to Yusuf, collaboration with the government is helping leaders, developers, and technology users adopt AI and unlock its full economic potential.
Training Public Sector Leaders and Grassroots Learners
Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School, said the partnership has so far trained 99 public-sector leaders across 58 government agencies.
“At LBS, we see AI capability building as a critical driver of inclusive growth, innovation, and national development,” she said.
David-West added that AI training also addresses governance, ethics, and risk management, with applications in sectors such as agriculture and financial inclusion.
Bayo Adekanmbi, Founder of Data Science Nigeria, represented by Business Lead Aanu Oyeniran, said the programme is structured to reach learners at the community level.
He noted that strengthening evidence-based governance, responsible innovation, classroom adoption, and community engagement is key to building a globally competitive workforce.
Nigeria Expands National Digital Skills Efforts
Nigeria’s digital skills ecosystem has expanded significantly in 2025, with multiple federal initiatives aimed at preparing citizens for future jobs.
Recently, the Federal Ministry of Education partnered with Amazon Web Services to roll out 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 active in more than 40 universities and polytechnics nationwide.
