In a bid to strengthen the capacity of Nigeria’s public sector to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) for improved service delivery, the Federal Government has partnered with Google to launch the Apolitical Government AI Campus.
The initiative, supported by Google aims to train Nigerian public servants and government leaders on the practical application of AI in governance. It is designed to enhance innovation, improve administrative efficiency, and build a more citizen-centered public service.
Speaking at the event in Abuja on Thursday, Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader National AI Strategy, which seeks to make AI a native tool for productivity and public service transformation.
He explained that with the President Tinubu’s mandate to grow the nation’s economy to a $1trillion economy, the government is doing all that it can to deepen the absorptive capacity for AI to serve every part of the economy.
He said, “From being able to support our farmers to improve their yields and contribute to helping to manage food security in Nigeria, to helping to augment learning in the classroom by supporting teachers to be able to teach and personalise learning better, and from supporting with diagnostics within our healthcare system to improve how we efficiently deploy our resources for the benefit of our people.
“We see Artificial Intelligence as a major driver of productivity across our key sectors. And this is why Nigeria has prioritized this phenomenon by developing one of the most talked about artificial intelligence strategies on the African continent.”
He added that the government is not just investing in AI, but also setting up one of the first of the kind in the world, National AI Trust, which is a board of trustees that will ensure that Nigeria continues to prioritise the development in artificial intelligence.
The minister noted that despite the investments in deepening the absorptive capacity, there was need for government to accelerate the understanding among civil servants, by accelerate the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence into how things are done in government.
“Whether it’s by using it 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 the e-political government AI campus is extremely important.
“We have been putting resources to ensure that we can support our civil servants and our public service in a manner that AI can become something that is native to them. And this is why we’re extremely excited about this opportunity and support from Google,” he added.
According to research by Apolitical, while 72 percent of government leaders globally are experimenting with AI, more than half still lack a comprehensive strategy for adoption.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications Manager for West Africa, said the launch of the AI Campus represents Google’s ongoing commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation through capacity building and infrastructure development.
The opportunity is immense, we’ve all seen the research showing that every dollar invested in this technology can add more than eight dollars to the economy. To capture this value, a vision needs skilled implementers.
“This is the global challenge: bridging the gap between national ambition and the practical, day-to-day work of delivering services, the solution is to invest in your people. That is why today is so significant. We are incredibly proud and excited to officially launch the Apolitical Government AI Campus here in Nigeria, with support from Google.org.
“This program is designed for the public sector leaders and practitioners who are the engine of national progress. By supporting this campus, we are honoured to support the individuals at the very heart of government—those dedicated to building a more innovative, efficient, and citizen-centered public service.
“Ultimately, this program is about what AI can do for Nigerians. It’s about empowering you to deliver smarter healthcare, more accessible education, and more efficient public services for everyone,” he said.
Chris Ferguson, Vice President at Apolitical, described the initiative as a “pioneering effort” that will empower Nigeria’s public servants to lead digital transformation with confidence and foresight.
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“The launch of the Apolitical Government AI Campus forms part of a broader effort by Google to advance digital skills and AI adoption in Nigeria. Over the past year, the company has supported initiatives expanding internet access, promoting local AI innovation hubs, and enhancing digital education—all aimed at building a robust and inclusive digital economy,” he noted.
The programme provides a comprehensive learning pathway ranging from leadership briefings to self-paced online courses covering AI fundamentals, leadership, and procurement. Participants are expected to gain access to expert-led events, tools, frameworks, and a global peer network of public sector professionals applying AI in governance.
