Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu met in Paris to discuss a partnership aimed at enhancing Artificial Intelligence skills in Nigeria. The meeting highlighted government commitment and ongoing support from Google through various initiatives, including financial assistance for startups and youth education in AI. The Nigerian Ministry is also developing a national AI strategy to guide future efforts.
Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, met with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu in Paris, where they explored a partnership to enhance Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills in Nigeria. Pichai highlighted the significant opportunity AI presents for the country and shared the meeting’s outcomes via a post on X.
During their discussion, Pichai expressed enthusiasm about the potential of AI in Nigeria, emphasizing collaboration to expand skill sets and drive innovation. Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who attended, labeled the meeting as “extremely productive”, reinforcing the commitment of the Nigerian government to foster AI skills and innovation through support from Google.
Last year, Google initiated two AI projects in Nigeria in collaboration with the Communications Ministry. The first includes a N100 million AI Fund through the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, aimed at aiding startups that harness AI for innovative solutions. The second initiative announced a N2.8 billion grant from Google to expand AI talent development in Nigeria’s youth, focusing on skill enhancement and education.
The Nigerian Ministry has also proposed the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy document, which is under review and set to guide the government’s AI efforts. An AI Collective has been established to collaborate on research, projects, hackathons, and seminars, promoting an inclusive development approach for Nigeria’s AI landscape. Additionally, a Large Language Model (LLM) has been launched to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leader in AI across Africa.
The meeting between Sundar Pichai and President Tinubu underscores a strategic alliance to develop AI competencies in Nigeria. Through significant funding and collaborative initiatives, both parties aim to empower the nation’s tech ecosystem. This partnership reflects Nigeria’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies, with structured plans for AI skill development and a focus on inclusive growth in the sector.
Original Source: nairametrics.com
