Microsoft says its long-standing partnership with the Federal Government has delivered digital skills training to more than four million Nigerians since 2021, reinforcing the country’s push to compete in the fast-growing digital economy.
The technology company disclosed this during a media roundtable in Lagos, where it said the milestone reflected Nigeria’s growing commitment to building a digitally skilled workforce capable of driving innovation, productivity, and economic growth.
According to the company, recent data shows that about 350,000 individuals are currently active in its specialised student-focused programmes, with 63,000 completing structured learning pathways and 43,000 earning globally recognised certifications. These certifications are increasingly becoming critical credentials for employability, entrepreneurship and access to digital opportunities for young Nigerians and small business owners.
Microsoft also announced plans to train an additional 350,000 Nigerians in artificial intelligence skills, describing the move as a major expansion of its National Skills Initiative. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with public institutions and local partners, including academic and data-focused organisations, to ensure nationwide reach.
The company said the initiative reaffirms its goal of upskilling five million Nigerians, with a strong focus on preparing developers, entrepreneurs and public sector workers for the future of work. It noted that developer-focused programmes are helping to create a steady pipeline of technical talent that can support government digitalisation efforts, private sector innovation and the growth of tech-enabled small and medium-sized enterprises.
Through government-led initiatives such as Developers in Government and the Three Million Technical Talent programme, developers working in the public sector are gaining new capabilities in analytics, artificial intelligence integration, DevOps, machine learning and data science. Microsoft said more than 1,600 developers have so far received advanced training, strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to build and manage digital public infrastructure.
The company noted that these efforts are helping Nigeria’s workforce build AI fluency across the broader digital ecosystem, a development that is increasingly important for businesses seeking to scale, improve efficiency and compete regionally.
Microsoft also highlighted that Nigeria’s current AI adoption rate stands at 8.7 per cent, slightly below the Sub-Saharan African average of 10 per cent. With Africa’s economy projected to gain up to $1.5 trillion from AI by 2030, the company said Nigeria must urgently position its youthful population to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
It stressed that AI is already reshaping every sector, from finance and agriculture to education and commerce, and countries that move quickly to build skills will gain a competitive edge. Microsoft said its strategy focuses on strengthening innovation capacity, improving digital infrastructure such as connectivity and power, and prioritising skills development as the most critical driver of impact.
By working with the government to equip leaders, developers, and everyday technology users, the company said it is helping Nigerians adopt and adapt AI tools in ways that can unlock productivity gains for businesses and improve public service delivery.
Academic partners involved in the programme said the training extends beyond technical skills to include governance, risk management, and ethical use of AI. Public sector leaders are being trained to ask the right questions around safety, responsible deployment, and how AI can be applied to expand credit access, improve agricultural cycle,s and support inclusive economic growth.
They noted that AI skilling is no longer optional for Nigeria’s digital future, but a foundation for national competitiveness, especially as many graduates still lack the practical digital skills required by today’s job market.
Microsoft’s partners also said the second phase of the national skilling programme aims to reach one million Nigerians within three years, embedding AI capabilities across multiple sectors of the economy. The programme is designed to ensure that digital transformation is not limited to major cities but reaches communities and grassroots learners across the country.
Data-focused partners said the initiative has empowered dozens of training organisations nationwide with infrastructure that reduces barriers to learning, demonstrating that AI readiness requires coordinated investment across government, education, developers and communities.
Microsoft said its broader mission remains to make artificial intelligence widely accessible and responsibly deployed, to empower individuals, organisations and small businesses to achieve more in an increasingly digital global economy.
