TeKnowledge and Microsoft has announced the second phase of its AI National Skilling Initiative, to equip an additional 10,000 Nigerians with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities in order to bridge the gap between technical training and professional employment.
The partnership between TeKnowledge and Microsoft in 2025, was aimed towards building foundational AI literacy across the country. Phase 1 successfully reached over 50,000 Nigerians, with 3,000 participants earning original Microsoft AI certifications.
Phase 2 is targeted at reaching university students, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), entrepreneurs, and women through a hybrid learning model of virtual and in-person instruction.
The program offers a dedicated Career Fair to connect graduates with employers and partners, in order to transform skills to livelihoods.
The program makes use of agentic AI solutions, by building on Phase 1 successes where developers created tools for risk assessment, fraud detection, and document verification using the Microsoft Semantic Kernel.
“Africa has an incredible opportunity to become not only a participant, but a builder and co-creator in the global AI economy. By deepening AI skills and diffusing AI adoption throughout the economy, Nigeria and the African continent stand to benefit” – Olatomiwa Williams, Chief Growth and AI Officer at Microsoft Middle East and Africa
The rollout for Phase 2 commences immediately, targeting universities and NYSC camps across the country.
