The Federal Government, in partnership with Meta, the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN), has launched a free Artificial Intelligence Academy for Nigerians. The initiative offers AI training, startup funding, Meta advertising credits, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Türkiye. Applications for the AI Startup Pitchathon close on August 21, with selected startups pitching at GITEX Nigeria on September 3.
Programme Components and Free Training
The academy has three major parts: AI skills training, an AI Startup Pitchathon, and a six-week developer bootcamp. Participants in the AI skills programme will have access to free courses on platforms like Coursera, DeepLearning.AI and DataCamp. The training covers areas including generative AI, prompt engineering, multimodal AI, data analytics, and building AI applications with Meta's Llama models.
The initiative is designed to help Nigerians learn practical AI skills, build startups and compete globally. According to Meta, the academy will teach participants how to actually use AI to build products, solve problems and create businesses.
Government and Meta Statements
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the programme is about preparing Nigerians for the future. "Through this partnership, we are equipping developers, entrepreneurs, and young professionals with practical AI skills while creating pathways for innovation and globally competitive startups," he noted. He added that the collaboration shows the Federal Government's commitment to growing Nigeria's AI ecosystem through partnerships and making the country more competitive in Africa's digital economy.
Meta's Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Sade Dada, said Nigerian innovators already have the talent, they simply need more support. "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," she stated.
Incentives and Startup Pitchathon
The top 100 participants in the AI skills programme will qualify for scholarships towards Meta Blueprint certifications and receive up to $5,000 worth of Meta advertising credits. For startups, applications for the AI Startup Pitchathon close on August 21. Ten startups will be selected to pitch their ideas at GITEX Nigeria on September 3.
The two winning startups will each receive $5,000 in cash funding, $2,000 in Meta advertising credits, and an all-expenses-paid trip to represent Nigeria at Meta's AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, this November.
Developer Bootcamp and Impact
Selected developers and startups will also take part in an intensive six-week AI Developer Bootcamp organised by RAIN. The bootcamp focuses on building real AI products with guidance from Meta's AI experts, helping participants turn their ideas into market-ready solutions. RAIN founder and CEO, Dr Olushola Ayoola, described the collaboration as an important step for Nigeria's growing AI ecosystem. "Building Nigeria's AI capacity requires the kind of coordinated effort we are seeing here," Ayoola remarked.
The initiative builds on the Federal Government's 3MTT programme, which aims to train millions of Nigerians with digital skills. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape jobs, businesses and industries worldwide, programmes like this could give Nigerian developers, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts the skills needed to compete globally without leaving the country.
