The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that it is in talks with the Commonwealth of Nations to integrate Nigerians into its Artificial Intelligence Academy.
This initiative aims to foster innovation across various sectors of the economy, positioning Nigeria to leverage advanced technologies for economic growth and development.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, via his X page on Monday.
The discussions stemmed from high-level meetings between Nigerian officials and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Patricia Scotland, which took place on the sidelines of the recently concluded 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
These talks reflect Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing technology and innovation as part of its economic strategy.
Nnaji confirmed that the discussions focused on launching an initiative to onboard Nigerians into the ambitious AI training program offered through the Commonwealth AI Academy, which is powered by Intel.
He stated, “this program will equip millions of Nigerians, particularly our youth and women, with industry-ready AI skills.”
He noted that Nigeria’s participation in this initiative will position the country at the forefront of AI adoption, with the potential to transform key sectors such as governance, healthcare, and agriculture through targeted capacity building.
“The AI Academy, which is part of the Commonwealth Artificial Intelligence Consortium, will offer specialized courses such as AI for the public sector and AI for youth, helping us build a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and addressing global challenges,” he stated.
Nnaji reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to integrating technology into climate action, with a particular focus on sustainable agriculture.
He added that collaboration with the Commonwealth will further enhance Nigeria’s leadership in leveraging technology for sustainable development and climate resilience.
“With techniques like Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) and biochar, we’re improving soil health and aligning with global climate goals under the Paris Agreement.
“I am eager for Nigeria to present innovative, tech-driven solutions to climate challenges as we look towards COP29,” he added.
The Commonwealth Artificial Intelligence Consortium is a key component of a broader action plan designed to harness the power of AI tools to support member states.
This initiative aims to empower the 1.5 billion young people under the age of 30 across the Commonwealth, equipping them with the skills and resources necessary to drive innovation and tackle contemporary challenges in their communities.
