…As stakeholders call for demand-side AI skilling
Microsoft is deepening its investment in digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills in Nigeria as stakeholders warn that without stronger demand-side readiness, particularly among government and business leaders, the country risks missing out on an estimated $1.5 trillion AI-driven boost to Africa’s GDP by 2030.
Nonye Ujam, director of government affairs, Microsoft West Africa, at a Microsoft media roundtable in Lagos, said the company’s skilling journey in Nigeria began in 2021 following high-level engagements between Microsoft president and vice chair Brad Smith and Nigeria’s then vice president Yemi Osinbajo on accelerating the country’s digital transformation.
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“That conversation focused on a key question, how government and Microsoft could work together to impact five million Nigerians with digital skills. By December 2021, we had already reached four million Nigerians,” Ujam affirmed.
She added that Microsoft renewed its commitment with the federal government in January 2025 and recently announced an additional $1 million investment to upskill one million Nigerians in AI. According to Ujam, while millions have been reached through digital platforms, over 350,000 people were deeply engaged in structured programmes, with 63,000 completing learning pathways and 43,000 earning globally verifiable certifications.
“Certification matters because it provides proof. It validates skills in a way that employers can trust,” she said.
Ujam said Microsoft’s engagement with government extends beyond training to policy collaboration, including contributions to Nigeria’s National AI Strategy and alignment with initiatives such as the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
“The opportunity is massive. But skills readiness, especially on the demand side, is what will determine whether Nigeria truly captures the AI dividend,” she said.
Abideen Yusuf, Microsoft’s general manager for Nigeria and Ghana, said the focus on skills is critical as AI adoption in Nigeria remains low, about 8.7 despite Africa’s projected AI windfall. “The challenge is not the absence of jobs but a widening skills gap. To be world-class in AI, you need frontier innovation, infrastructure and skills. Infrastructure includes power, connectivity, GPUs and enabling policy and government investment is key,” Yusuf said.
The general manager noted that Nigeria’s youthful population positions it well for AI-led growth if skills development keeps pace with adoption, adding that Microsoft is seeing rising use of AI tools such as Copilot across commercial businesses.
Stakeholders at the event stressed that supply-side innovation alone is insufficient. Prof. Olayinka David-West, dean of Lagos Business School, said AI adoption often stalls due to weak absorption capacity among leaders and institutions. “Innovation only succeeds when people are ready to use it. From boards to executives, leaders must understand AI risks, governance and opportunities to make informed decisions,” she said.
David-West said LBS, in partnership with Microsoft, is focused on turning AI from a super tool into practical solutions for Nigerian challenges such as credit access, agriculture and financial inclusion, including training public sector leaders who can drive adoption across agencies.
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From the implementation side, Aanu Oyeniran, business lead at Data Science Nigeria (DSN), said Microsoft’s impact has been driven by intentional programme design, certification and scalable partnerships. “This year alone, we deployed over 1,400 certification vouchers, significantly improving employability,” Oyeniran said, adding that a hub-and-spoke model has enabled learning centres in more than 38 locations nationwide.
He cited examples of trained participants supporting small businesses with data analytics and public servants building dashboards that cut decision-making time, creating multiplier effects beyond initial beneficiaries.
