Lagos: TeKnowledge and Microsoft have expanded their partnership to accelerate Nigeria’s national Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills development to position the country for stronger global competitiveness. Ms Aileen Allkins, the President of TeKnowledge, announced this development at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Allkins outlined the company’s expanded role as a delivery partner for Phase 2 of Microsoft’s AI National Skilling Initiative in Nigeria. She emphasized that AI capability has become a crucial factor in national economic competitiveness, highlighting the growing disparity between countries that invest early in AI and those that delay. AI is projected to contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy over the next decade, making it a strategic economic lever for Nigeria, which boasts a population exceeding 200 million and one of the youngest workforces globally.
Allkins pointed out that expanding practical AI skills at scale enhances employability, drives innovation, and accelerates digital prosperity across various sectors. She noted that half of TeKnowledge’s global technical workforce of over 4,000 experts is based in Lagos, underscoring Nigeria’s strategic importance to the company’s global operations. Countries leading in AI are those investing in inclusive skills development across all levels, from students to public sector workers and corporate leaders.
Mr Olugbolahan Olusanya, Territory Director for Africa, TeKnowledge, highlighted that the expanded partnership builds on groundwork laid in 2025, when the company helped design and deliver one of Nigeria’s most extensive AI capability-building programmes. Phase 2 includes a commitment to train at least 10,000 Nigerians under the Microsoft AI National Skilling Initiative. It is part of a broader effort to strengthen national workforce readiness and support inclusive AI adoption.
Ms Olatomiwa Williams, Chief Growth and AI Officer for Microsoft Middle East and Africa, stated that the initiative aligns with Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and organisation to achieve more, especially in the AI era. Phase 1 of the programme reached over 50,000 Nigerians with foundational and intermediate AI skills through Microsoft-accredited learning pathways. More than 3,000 participants completed advanced training and earned Microsoft AI certifications across multiple tracks.
Williams explained that Phase 2 will focus on structured, employment-linked skilling, targeting various groups, including undergraduates, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, women, and developers. A key addition is the in-person AI training for NYSC members to embed AI literacy at an early stage in their careers. The second phase will also include in-person engagements across three Nigerian universities, gender-focused inclusion strategies, a national career fair, Copilot and AI fluency tracks, and cybersecurity awareness initiatives.
Williams concluded that Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its digital journey, with AI offering a present opportunity rather than a future concept. The next phase of the initiative is about achieving scale, depth, and measurable impact.