AI Skills Training For Nigerian Civil Servants Kicks Off With Google Support

Nigerian public servants are set to participate in the Apolitical Government AI Campus, a globally trusted centre for advancing artificial intelligence excellence in government, supported by Google.org.

The initiative is being implemented in Nigeria through a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) and Google, and will provide world-class AI training for public servants and government leaders, specifically designed to address the unique challenges of governance.

AI is emerging as a key driver of Nigeria’s digital transformation. Research from Apolitical shows that while 72 per cent of government leaders are running AI pilots, over half report lacking a comprehensive strategy for AI adoption. Every dollar invested in AI has the potential to add more than eight dollars to the economy.

To seize this opportunity, Nigeria needs an AI-skilled public service that can accelerate innovation, improve citizen-centered services, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, underscored the critical role of artificial intelligence in enhancing government efficiency and productivity. He said the ministry was investing heavily in building AI capacity within the civil service to modernise public administration and improve service delivery.

“We see Artificial Intelligence as a major driver of productivity across our key sectors. We have been putting resources into ensuring that we can support our civil servants and our public service in a manner that AI can become something that is native to them… to accelerate and shorten the time we spend on administrating our processes, or by using it to better deliver to our people. And this is why we’re extremely excited about this opportunity and support from Google.”

Launched with a flagship leadership briefing in Abuja for senior government officials, Apolitical’s Government AI Campus will deliver a rich suite of practical and policy-oriented resources tailored for Nigerian public servants.
Participants will gain access to government-specific online training programmes that span critical areas such as AI fundamentals, governance, ethics, and leadership, alongside expert-led events, analytical tools, and implementation frameworks designed to help them apply AI knowledge effectively within their respective domains.

The initiative also opens access to the Global AI in Government Community, a collaborative platform connecting thousands of government peers across the world who exchange insights, share innovative solutions, and promote best practices in the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence for public service delivery.

Explaining Google’s motivation for supporting the programme, Olumide Balogun, West Africa Director at Google, said, the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to empowering the people driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.

According to him, “Championing Nigeria’s digital transformation means investing in the people who shape its future. By working hand-in-hand with public sector leaders and practitioners, we are not only providing technical resources but sharing knowledge that empowers them to deliver better, more efficient government services. Through AI, Nigerian communities can benefit from smarter solutions, improved social outcomes, and greater inclusion in a rapidly changing digital economy.”

Chris Ferguson, Vice President at Apolitical, underscored the importance of upskilling public servants as a foundation for effective AI integration in governance.

“Structured training is the cornerstone for successful AI adoption in government. This initiative is a pioneering effort that will equip Nigerian public servants with the capabilities to lead the digital transformation with confidence and foresight,” he said.

Bringing the Apolitical Government AI Campus to Nigeria is part of our broader commitment over the past year to advance AI adoption and digital skills in Nigeria, including partnerships to expand internet access, support local AI innovation hubs, and enhance digital education.
These efforts collectively aim to help build a robust AI ecosystem that powers Nigeria’s sustainable economic growth and social development.