Microsoft Nigeria says the tech giant is focused on equipping young Nigerians with the digital skills needed for the future workforce, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.
Olatomiwa Williams, General Manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, who said this highlighted the urgency of these skills amid the growing global interest in AI and other technology skills like cybersecurity. Writing on LinkedIn, she said that “our youth are the workforce of the future, and with AI set to have a definitive role to play in the country’s future prosperity, it is more critical than ever that we continue to develop digital skills.”
According to Williams, Nigeria is a recognised powerhouse on the African continent, and Microsoft has been a long-standing partner in the country’s digital transformation journey for over two decades. This journey includes supporting startups, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), large corporations, and the government itself.
A new report by Microsoft, titled “The New Future of Work Report 2023,” co-authored by a collective of industry experts across the continent explores the opportunity for Africa to influence the future of work.
“Africa has a unique opportunity to influence what the future of work looks like in these early days as large language learning models (LLMs) are evolving, and the environment for applications is still new,” says Microsoft.
“We see a significant role for generative AI to not only transform work environments, but also foster opportunities for the youth to create jobs, innovate and help drive economic growth and stability across the continent,” Ravi Bhat, Chief Technology and Solutions Officer at Microsoft Africa said.
As technology continues to change at an unprecedented pace, AI is expected to play a significant role in driving economic growth and addressing national challenges.
Williams emphasized Microsoft’s dedication to supporting broad-based skilling initiatives in Nigeria. This commitment is evidenced by:
- A partnership with the Nigerian government to upskill 5 million people and create 27,000 digital jobs.
- The ongoing Global Skills Initiative, which has resulted in over 322,000 Nigerians participating in skilling programs and achieving over 300,000 Microsoft certifications.
Looking ahead, Williams said that Microsoft intends to collaborate with key government and private sector partners to scale up its skilling platform with a goal to position Nigeria as a leader in the digital economy.
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