Google has announced a N3 billion fund to develop advanced AI talent and strengthen digital safety in Nigeria, supporting the country’s National AI Strategy and digital jobs mandate.
Google, through Google.org, unveiled a N3 billion (US$2.1M) commitment to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation by building advanced AI talent and boosting digital safety nationwide. Announcing the initiative in Lagos, Google’s West Africa director Olumide Balogun said the funding directly supports the National AI Strategy and Nigeria’s goal of creating one million digital jobs, noting that the country stands to unlock “a projected $15 billion in economic value from AI by 2030.”
He described the initiative as “an investment in people aimed at empowering them with advanced AI skills and ensuring a safe digital space to operate.” The fund will support five expert organisations, including FATE Foundation and AIMS, to embed advanced AI curricula in universities, while JA Africa and CyberSafe Foundation will expand digital safety and cybersecurity programmes. FATE Foundation’s executive director, Adenike Adeyemi, said the partnership responds to “the urgent need for deep AI competencies in Africa,” empowering institutions and students across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.