Meta has partnered with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, the initiative brings together Meta, the FMCIDE, the ministry’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN). It is designed to give developers, startups, students and early-career professionals access to practical AI training, technical resources, and opportunities to build AI-powered products.
The launch comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to build a domestic AI talent pipeline and position itself as a leading technology hub in Africa.
AI Academy Nigeria will run through three interlinked programmes: AI Skills Development, a Startup Pitchathon, and a Developer Bootcamp intended to take participants from foundational learning through to product development and entrepreneurship.
Training will be delivered through the 3MTT community, giving participants across Nigeria access to courses on generative AI fundamentals and building applications using Meta’s AI models. The curriculum includes building generative AI applications with Llama, prompt engineering with Llama 2 and Llama 3, multimodal AI with Llama 3.2, generative AI for data analytics and social media marketing, and an introductory “AI 101” course.
These courses will be offered free of charge through platforms including Coursera, DeepLearning.AI and DataCamp. The top 100 performers will be eligible for scholarships toward paid Meta Blueprint certifications and up to $5,000 in Meta advertising credits.
A key component of the initiative is the AI Startup Pitchathon, aimed at early-stage Nigerian startups using Meta’s AI technologies to solve real-world problems. Applications close on August 21, 2026, after which 10 startups will be shortlisted to pitch at GITEX Nigeria on September 3.
Two winning startups will each receive $5,000 in cash funding and $2,000 in Meta advertising credits, along with an all-expenses-paid trip to represent Nigeria at Meta’s AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, scheduled for November 23–24, 2026.
The programme also includes a six-week Developer Bootcamp delivered by RAIN for a selected cohort of developers and startups. Participants will receive hands-on technical training and mentorship, working toward building functional AI products and market-ready solutions, with access to Meta’s network of AI experts.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said the partnership would equip Nigerians with practical skills to drive innovation. “Through this partnership, we are equipping developers, entrepreneurs, and young professionals with practical AI skills while creating pathways for innovation and globally competitive startups,” Tijani said.
Sade Dada, Meta’s head of public policy for Anglophone West Africa, said the programme responds to a gap in practical resources available to Nigerian talent. “Nigeria has some of Africa’s most dynamic AI talent but needs greater access to practical training, funding and platforms to develop solutions,” Dada said, adding that the academy was built to close that gap and give strong ideas “a route from home to a regional stage.”
Olushola Ayoola, founder and CEO of RAIN, said developing Nigeria’s AI capacity would require coordinated efforts between government, technology companies, and ecosystem players.
The partnership builds on the wider mandate of the 3MTT programme, which aims to develop Nigeria’s technical talent pipeline while linking skills training to entrepreneurship, product development, and opportunities within the digital economy. It arrives as AI adoption accelerates across Nigeria, driving demand for developers and entrepreneurs capable of building AI applications tailored to local businesses and social challenges.
Organisers say the initiative is designed to create a pathway from AI education to product development, funding, and international exposure potentially giving Nigerian startups greater access to the global AI economy.
