Google Announces N3bn Funding to Boost AI Talent and Digital Safety in Nigeria

Google, through its philanthropic arm Google.org, has announced a N3 billion (US$2.1 million) investment aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation. The initiative is designed to strengthen the nation’s AI talent pipeline while enhancing digital safety across communities.

The announcement was made in Lagos by Google’s Director for West Africa, Olumide Balogun, who explained that the programme aligns directly with Nigeria’s National AI Strategy and the government’s target of creating one million digital jobs.

Balogun stated that Nigeria has the potential to unlock an estimated $15 billion in economic value from artificial intelligence by 2030. He noted that Google’s investment focuses on equipping individuals with advanced AI skills while creating a safer online environment, ensuring the country’s digital growth is both inclusive and sustainable.

He emphasized that Google has played a long-standing role in Nigeria’s digital development, citing major contributions such as the Equiano subsea cable and previous training initiatives. One such programme, the 2023 Skills Sprint, trained 20,991 participants—over 5,000 of them women—in AI and technology and enabled more than 3,500 individuals to secure jobs, internships, or business opportunities.

Under the new N3 billion commitment, five expert organisations will receive support to expand AI education and digital security efforts. FATE Foundation, in partnership with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), will integrate an advanced AI curriculum across universities. The African Technology Forum (ATF) will launch an innovation challenge, helping developers transition from learning to building real-world AI solutions.

To strengthen digital safety, JA Africa will scale its “Be Internet Awesome” programme for young people, while CyberSafe Foundation will focus on improving cybersecurity within public institutions.

Adenike Adeyemi, Executive Director of FATE Foundation, expressed excitement about the collaboration, describing it as a strategic intervention to build deep AI competencies across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. She emphasized that the initiative supports innovation-driven economic growth and positions Africa to compete globally in the evolving tech landscape.