Meta and Nigeria launch AI Academy to boost tech talent

The Nigerian Federal Government, in collaboration with Meta, the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN), has launched the AI Academy Nigeria. This national initiative aims to strengthen the country’s artificial intelligence talent base and accelerate its digital economy by providing developers, entrepreneurs, and students with practical AI skills.

The academy consists of three primary components:

1. AI Skills Development: Participants can access courses on generative AI, prompt engineering, and data analytics using Meta’s Llama models through platforms like Coursera and DataCamp. Top performers may receive Meta Blueprint scholarships and advertising credits.

2. Startup Pitchathon: Ten startups will be selected to pitch at GITEX Nigeria on September 3. Two winners will each receive $5,000 in funding, $2,000 in Meta advertising credits, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Meta’s AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye.

3. Developer Bootcamp: A six-week intensive programme led by RAIN will offer hands-on technical training and direct access to Meta’s AI experts to assist startups in building market-ready solutions.