Global technology services firm, TeKnowledge has announced an expanded role in the second phase of Microsoft’s AI National Skilling Initiative in Nigeria, a programme designed to strengthen the country’s workforce readiness and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across industries.
The company will serve as an implementation and delivery partner for Phase 2 of the programme, which aims to build on the foundations laid in 2025 when the initiative delivered one of the country’s most extensive AI capacity-building efforts.
Unlike many pilot projects, the programme was structured as a nationwide model intended to translate growing interest in artificial intelligence into practical, employable skills for Nigerians.
Through awareness campaigns, structured learning pathways, hands-on technical training and a developer-focused hackathon, the initiative prioritised applied learning and measurable workforce outcomes.
What you need to know
According to programme organisers, the first phase reached more than 50,000 Nigerians with foundational and intermediate AI skills.
In addition, over 3,000 participants completed advanced training and obtained Microsoft AI certifications across multiple technical tracks.
The programme also worked alongside existing national digital capacity-building initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent Programme, a federal effort aimed at training millions of Nigerians in digital and technical skills.
As part of the broader skilling initiative, developers also participated in an Agentic AI Hackathon, where emerging technology professionals collaborated to design production-ready AI solutions addressing real-world challenges in the fintech sector.
Participants developed nine applied agentic AI solutions using Microsoft Semantic Kernel, covering use cases such as document verification, fraud detection and risk assessment. The projects demonstrated how advanced AI systems could be responsibly deployed within highly regulated industries.
Phase 2 to focus on scale and inclusion
The second phase of the initiative will significantly expand its reach, with a commitment to directly train 10,000 participants across Nigeria.
The programme will deepen partnerships with universities and the National Youth Service Corps, while engaging developers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, youth and women in order to broaden participation and impact.
Training delivery will follow a hybrid model combining virtual learning, hands-on technical projects and targeted in-person engagements to maintain both scale and depth across advanced AI tracks.
“We are committing to directly train 10,000 participants in Phase 2, with deliberate focus on youth, women, developers, and decision makers who will drive AI adoption across sectors. The Career Fair ensures this initiative goes beyond training, creating direct pathways from learning to livelihood,” said Olugbolahan Olusanya, Territory Director for Africa, TeKnowledge.
“Microsoft’s AI Skilling Initiative plays a critical role in enabling Nigeria’s national digital skilling efforts. By deepening AI skills and diffusing AI adoption throughout the economy, Nigeria and the African continent stand to benefit,” said Olatomiwa Williams, Chief Growth and AI Officer, Microsoft Middle East and Africa.
AI skills seen as strategic economic driver
Globally, artificial intelligence is projected to contribute trillions of dollars to the world economy over the coming decade, increasing the urgency for countries to build AI-capable workforces.
For Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with more than 200 million people and one of the youngest populations in the world, expanding AI capability is increasingly viewed as a strategic economic lever.
Developing practical AI skills at scale could strengthen employability, drive innovation and accelerate digital growth across sectors such as fintech, healthcare, manufacturing and public services.
“Around the world, nations that invest in AI literacy and responsible adoption today will define tomorrow’s economic leadership. Nigeria has the talent, the ambition, and the entrepreneurial energy to lead in Africa’s AI transformation. Our focus is to combine global expertise with strong local execution, ensuring AI skills are accessible, inclusive, and impactful at scale,” added Aileen Allkins, CEO & President, TeKnowledge.
Strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem
Through its partnership with Microsoft, TeKnowledge says it intends to deepen its long-term engagement in Nigeria’s digital transformation by positioning inclusive AI capability as a cornerstone of economic competitiveness.
The company employs more than 2,000 professionals in Nigeria, delivering services spanning artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, customer experience technology, digital skilling and managed technology services.
Globally, TeKnowledge operates across more than 90 countries, with operations from over 16 hubs and a workforce of more than 4,000 experts delivering round-the-clock services.
Founded in 2010, the company is part of YNV Group, a privately held global holding company.
As artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes global economies, initiatives such as the AI National Skilling programme signal Nigeria’s growing ambition to position its workforce for the demands of the digital future.
Talking Points
It is encouraging to see Microsoft and TeKnowledge expanding the AI National Skilling Initiative in Nigeria at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global labour market. Programmes that focus on practical skills rather than theory are essential if countries want to translate the AI boom into real economic opportunity.
The first phase reaching more than 50,000 Nigerians highlights the scale of interest in AI and digital skills across the country. More importantly, the fact that over 3,000 participants earned advanced certifications shows that structured learning pathways can help move people from curiosity about AI to real technical capability.
At Techparley, we see initiatives like this as critical to bridging the widening global AI skills gap. With Nigeria’s large and youthful population, investments in AI capability could position the country as a major source of talent for the global digital economy.
The inclusion of initiatives such as developer hackathons and career fairs is also significant. By connecting training directly to employment opportunities, the programme goes beyond traditional skills workshops and begins to create a clearer pathway from learning to livelihood.
With sustained investment and strong collaboration between government, academia, and industry players like Microsoft and TeKnowledge, initiatives like this could play a defining role in shaping Nigeria’s position in the emerging global AI economy.
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