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Meta has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), alongside Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN), to launch AI Academy Nigeria.
The national capacity-building initiative is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s artificial intelligence talent pipeline and support the growth of the country’s AI innovation ecosystem.
According to a statement issued by the partners on Monday, the programme will provide developers, startups, students and early-career professionals with practical AI training, technical learning opportunities and startup support.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the initiative would equip young Nigerians with practical AI skills while creating pathways for innovation and the development of globally competitive startups.
“Through this partnership, we are equipping developers, entrepreneurs, and young professionals with practical AI skills while creating pathways for innovation and globally competitive startups,” Tijani said.
He said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s AI ecosystem through public-private partnerships and positioning the country as a leading force in Africa’s digital economy.
Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa at Meta, said Nigeria has significant AI talent but requires greater access to practical training, funding and platforms to develop innovative solutions.
“Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s most dynamic AI talent. What many founders and developers need is greater access to practical training, funding and platforms to build impactful solutions,” Dada said.
She said AI Academy Nigeria would help equip more Nigerians with AI skills while creating opportunities for promising startups to expand from the local market to regional platforms.
Dr. Olushola Ayoola, Founder and CEO of RAIN, said the partnership demonstrated the value of collaboration between government, technology companies and local innovation organisations in building Nigeria’s AI capabilities.
“Building Nigeria’s AI capacity requires the kind of coordinated effort we are seeing here,” Ayoola said.
The partners said AI Academy Nigeria is designed to move participants beyond learning AI concepts to developing functional products and solutions.
The programme will be delivered through three tracks: AI Skills Development, an AI Startup Pitchathon and a six-week Developer Bootcamp.
Under the AI Startup Pitchathon, early-stage Nigerian startups using Meta’s AI technologies will have the opportunity to showcase solutions addressing real-world challenges.
Applications for the pitchathon close on August 21, 2026, after which 10 startups will be shortlisted to pitch at GITEX Nigeria on September 3.
The two winning startups will each receive $5,000 in cash funding and $2,000 in Meta advertising credits.
They will also receive an all-expenses-paid opportunity to represent Nigeria and pitch at the AI Summit by Meta in Istanbul, Türkiye, scheduled for November 23-24, 2026
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