\n\nThe Federal Government, in partnership with Meta, has launched the AI Academy Nigeria, a new initiative designed to strengthen artificial intelligence skills among Nigerian developers, entrepreneurs and young professionals while supporting locally developed technology solutions.
The programme, launched on August 18, 2026, will combine practical AI training with opportunities for Nigerian startups to develop and showcase innovative products. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
One of the major components of the programme is an AI Startup Pitchathon, which will give emerging Nigerian startups an opportunity to compete for funding and international exposure. The top two startups will each receive $5,000 in equity-free funding, alongside $2,000 worth of Meta advertising credits.
The winners will also receive an all-expenses-paid opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Meta AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, in November 2026.
The academy will operate across three major areas: AI skills development, the startup pitchathon and a six-week developer bootcamp. The goal is to move participants beyond learning basic AI concepts and help them develop practical technologies capable of solving real-world problems.
Applications for the pitchathon are expected to close on August 21, with 10 startups scheduled to be shortlisted to pitch at GITEX Nigeria on September 3.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the partnership would help equip Nigerians with practical AI skills while creating opportunities for the emergence of globally competitive technology companies.
The initiative comes as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important across industries, including finance, education, healthcare, agriculture, customer service and business operations.
For Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem, the programme could provide young innovators with access to training, funding and international networks while encouraging the development of homegrown AI solutions.
With applications closing this week, Nigerian developers and AI-focused startups now have an opportunity to gain training, funding and international exposure through the new programme.
