The Nigerian government, in partnership with Google and Apolitical, has launched the AI Government Campus to train civil servants in artificial intelligence (AI), Techpoint Africa reports.

According to the outlet, the program offers structured online courses covering AI fundamentals, ethical frameworks, and practical applications for government operations, with assessments to track participants’ progress.

At the launch event in Abuja, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani emphasized the government’s commitment to integrating AI into civil service processes.

“We see artificial intelligence as a major driver of productivity across our key sectors,” he said.

“We are putting resources into ensuring AI becomes native to our civil service — to accelerate the time we spend on processes and deliver better outcomes for citizens,” he continued.

Adewolu Adene, Google’s government affairs and public policy manager for West Africa, highlighted the company’s role in supporting the initiative.

“By working hand-in-hand with public sector leaders, we’re not only providing technical tools but sharing knowledge that helps them build smarter, more inclusive governance,” he said.

Google has also invested in AI education and research across Africa, including grants, university programs, and upskilling initiatives in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, according to Techpoint Africa.

Chris Ferguson, vice president at Apolitical, a global platform dedicated to government innovation, explained that the program is designed to equip decision-makers, middle-level executives, and other civil servants with the skills to implement AI across multiple ministries and agencies.

Techpoint Africa reports that the initiative builds on broader efforts to strengthen AI capacity in Nigeria. Google has committed ₦2.8 billion to AI talent development. These funds will support programs such as DeepTech Ready Upskilling, which trains 20,000 Nigerians in data science and AI, and Experience AI, which helps educators teach AI concepts to 125,000 students, the outlet previously reported. The company has also provided university students in Nigeria and other African countries with a year of free access to premium AI tools.