The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), operating under the Federal Government, has unveiled its intention to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) developer communities nationwide.
This announcement was made by Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of NITDA, during an event in Abuja where he interacted with instructors and recipients of the NITDA AI Developers Training (NAIDT) program.
Inuwa emphasized that these communities are poised to shape the technological landscape of the nation.
NITDA, in collaboration with Google Developers Group (GDG) and its subsidiary National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), orchestrated the AI training program.
Inuwa expressed his satisfaction with the program’s pilot phase in Abuja, revealing intentions to replicate it in other states across the country.
Speaking about the government’s vision for AI developers in Nigeria, Inuwa articulated, “Our vision involves establishing developer communities nationwide, where individuals can acquire knowledge, share their expertise, launch businesses, and make a meaningful impact on society.”
He further underscored the significance of human capital as Nigeria’s most precious resource, expressing plans to initially implement the initiative in three states and subsequently expand its reach.
In the context of AI training, Mr. Ya’u Garba, the National Director of NCAIR, detailed the program’s one-year journey aimed at training one million developers.
The training encompasses three proficiency levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Participants are introduced to essential programming concepts, including Python, in the Basic level.
The Intermediate level equips learners with foundational IT skills, while the Advanced level delves into problem-solving techniques.
Representing Google Developers Group (GDG), Mr. Ibrahim Muhammed extended gratitude to NITDA for their consistent support throughout the training initiative.
The program’s success is evident in the emergence of instructors, startups, and job opportunities for participants.
The training, spanning 10 Cohorts and benefiting 1227 individuals, entailed coaching sessions and lectures, nurturing programming competencies in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Ultimately, this strategic collaboration between NITDA, NCAIR, and GDG underscores a progressive step towards fostering a robust AI ecosystem in Nigeria, contributing to both technological advancement and economic growth.
