Google.org has unveiled an Apolitical Government Artificial Intelligence Campus skills training program for Nigerian public servants, establishing a trusted global hub for AI excellence within the government.

This initiative, which Google announced on Thursday in Abuja, is a partnership with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the AI Campus will furnish Nigerian public servants with a comprehensive set of practical resources necessary for modern governance.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized the critical role that AI skills play in government, noting that Nigeria views AI as a major driver of productivity across its key sectors.

The Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to internalize these skills, stating: “We have been putting resources into ensuring that we can support our civil servants and our public service in a manner that AI can become something that is native to them.”

He stressed the twin goals of adoption: “To accelerate and shorten the time we spend on administrating our processes, or by using it to better deliver to our people.”

He concluded by expressing his appreciation: “This is why we are extremely excited about this opportunity and support from Google.”

Olumide Balogun, West Africa Director at Google, explained that the motivation for supporting the program lies in championing Nigeria’s digital transformation by “investing in the people who shape its future.”

He detailed the commitment to capacity building, saying that by working directly with public sector leaders and practitioners, Google would provide technical resources and share knowledge to better empower civil servants.

Balogun asserted that through the power of AI, Nigerian communities could benefit from smarter solutions, improved social outcomes, and greater inclusion in a rapidly changing digital economy.

He stressed the practical benefit of the partnership, stating: “We are not only providing technical resources but sharing knowledge that empowers them to deliver better, more efficient government services.”

Chris Ferguson, Vice President at Apolitical, reinforced the value of this crucial upskilling, noting that structured training is the absolute “cornerstone for successful AI adoption in government.”

He praised the initiative, saying: “This initiative is a pioneering effort that will equip Nigerian public servants with the capabilities to lead the digital transformation with confidence and foresight.”

Ferguson added that bringing the Apolitical Government AI Campus to Nigeria is part of Google’s broader commitment over the past years to advance AI adoption and digital skills in the country.

He noted: “This includes partnerships to expand internet access, support local AI innovation hubs, and enhance digital education.”

He confirmed that these collective efforts aim to help build a robust AI ecosystem that powers Nigeria’s sustainable economic growth and social development.

Earlier, Mr. Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Relations Manager for West Africa, noted that AI is rapidly emerging as a key driver of Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Kola-Ogunlade cited research from Apolitical showing that while 72 per cent of government leaders were running AI pilots, over half report lacking a comprehensive strategy for AI adoption. He emphasized the economic potential, stating that “every dollar invested in AI has the potential to add more than eight dollars to the economy.”

He concluded that to fully capitalize on this opportunity, Nigeria needs an AI-skilled public service that can accelerate innovation, improve citizen-centered services, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

Public servants will have access to government-specific online training covering topics from AI fundamentals to AI leadership, along with expert-led events, tools, and frameworks “All designed to help public servants apply AI learnings in their domain.”

They will also gain entry to the global AI in Government community, a space where thousands of government peers from around the world share their insights and AI best practices.