Google.org has introduced the Apolitical Government Artificial Intelligence Campus, a global hub for AI excellence in government, aimed at equipping Nigerian public servants with essential AI skills.
The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja, revealing a partnership with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the AI Campus will offer a wide range of practical resources tailored for public service.
Highlighting the importance of AI proficiency in governance, Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani noted that Nigeria views AI as a critical driver of productivity across its key sectors.
“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. To accelerate and shorten the time we spend on administrating our processes, or by using it to better deliver to our people. This is why we are extremely excited about this opportunity and support from Google,” he said.
On Google’s motivation for backing the initiative, Olumide Balogun, West Africa Director at Google, said the company’s focus on Nigeria’s digital transformation involves investing in the people shaping its future.
“By working hand-in-hand with public sector leaders and practitioners, Google would provide technical resources and share knowledge to better empower civil servants. Through AI, Nigerian communities could benefit from smarter solutions, improved social outcomes, and greater inclusion in a rapidly changing digital economy. We are not only providing technical resources but sharing knowledge that empowers them to deliver better, more efficient government services,” Balogun explained.
Vice President at Apolitical, Chris Ferguson, emphasized the importance of structured training for successful AI adoption in government.
“This initiative is a pioneering effort that will equip Nigerian public servants with the capabilities to lead the digital transformation with confidence and foresight. Bringing the Apolitical Government AI Campus to Nigeria is part of our broader commitment over the past years to advance AI adoption and digital skills in Nigeria. This includes partnerships to expand internet access, support local AI innovation hubs, and enhance digital education. These efforts collectively aim to help build a robust AI ecosystem that powers Nigeria’s sustainable economic growth and social development,” Ferguson said.
Earlier, Communications and Public Relations Manager, West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, highlighted AI’s growing role in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“Research from Apolitical showed that while 72 per cent of government leaders were running AI pilots, over half report lacking a comprehensive strategy for AI adoption. Every dollar invested in AI has the potential to add more than eight dollars to the economy. To seize this opportunity, Nigeria needs an AI-skilled public service that can accelerate innovation, improve citizen-centered services, and contribute to sustainable economic growth. They will have access to government-specific online training, covering topics from AI fundamentals to AI leadership, plus expert-led events, tools and frameworks. All designed to help public servants apply AI learnings in their domain. They can also join the global AI in Government community, a space where thousands of government peers from around the world share their insights and AI best practices,” Kola-Ogunlade said.
