Meta, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE), through its 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), alongside Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN), has announced the launch of AI Academy Nigeria.
The national capacity-building initiative is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s artificial intelligence talent and innovation ecosystem.
The partnership will provide Nigerian developers, startups, students and early-career professionals with access to practical AI learning, hands-on technical training and startup support. The initiative is expected to create pathways for participants to move from learning AI concepts to developing functional products and solutions.
AI Academy Nigeria will be delivered through three complementary streams: AI Skills Development, a Startup Pitchathon and an intensive Developer Bootcamp. The three tracks are designed to expand access to foundational AI skills while creating more advanced opportunities for developers and founders already working on AI-enabled solutions.
AI Startup Pitchathon
With applications closing on August 21, 2026, the Startup Pitchathon will provide a platform for early-stage Nigerian startups using Meta’s AI technologies to address real-world challenges.
Following an open call, 10 startups will be shortlisted to pitch at GITEX Nigeria on September 3, 2026.
Two winning startups will each receive $5,000 in cash funding and $2,000 in Meta advertising credits. They will also receive an all-expense-paid opportunity to represent Nigeria and pitch at the AI Summit by Meta in Istanbul, Türkiye, on November 23–24, 2026.
AI Skills Development Programmes
The AI Skills Development programmes are open to the wider 3MTT community across Nigeria. Participants will have access to a curated selection of courses covering topics ranging from generative AI fundamentals to building applications with Meta’s AI models.
The courses will be delivered through two formats: self-paced online modules that learners can complete according to their schedules and virtual instructor-led sessions.
The courses include:
- Building Generative AI Apps with Llama (Professional Certificate)
- Prompt Engineering with Llama 2 & 3
- Introducing Multimodal Llama 3.2
- Generative AI in Data Analytics
- Generative AI in Social Media Marketing
- AI 101 curriculum, developed by Startupbootcamp for Meta
The programmes will be delivered through Coursera, DeepLearning.AI and DataCamp at no cost to participants.
The top 100 performers will be eligible for scholarships towards paid Meta Blueprint certifications and up to $5,000 in advertising credits.
Developer Bootcamp
RAIN will deliver an intensive six-week Developer Bootcamp for a selected cohort of developers and startups.
The programme will focus on hands-on AI development, with participants working towards building functional AI products and market-ready solutions. Participants will receive technical guidance and access to Meta’s network of AI experts.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, said the partnership would equip developers, entrepreneurs and young professionals with practical AI skills while creating pathways for innovation and globally competitive startups.
“Through this partnership, we are equipping developers, entrepreneurs, and young professionals with practical AI skills while creating pathways for innovation and globally competitive startups. This initiative further reflects our commitment to building a thriving AI ecosystem through strategic public-private collaboration and positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital economy,” he said.
Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa at Meta, said Nigeria has some of Africa’s most dynamic AI talent but needs greater access to practical training, funding and platforms to develop impactful solutions.
“Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s most dynamic AI talent. What many founders and developers need is greater access to practical training, funding and platforms to build impactful solutions. AI Academy Nigeria was built to provide exactly that — equipping more Nigerians with the skills to build with AI, while giving the strongest ideas a route from home to a regional stage,” she said.
Dr. Olushola Ayoola, Founder and CEO of RAIN, said coordinated partnerships were important to building Nigeria’s AI capacity.
“Building Nigeria’s AI capacity requires the kind of coordinated effort we are seeing here. RAIN is proud to partner with Meta, FMCIDE and 3MTT to deliver a programme that reflects the scale of what is possible when the right partners align around a shared goal,” he said.
The partnership reinforces 3MTT’s broader mandate to build Nigeria’s technical talent pipeline while connecting skills development with practical application, entrepreneurship and opportunities within the digital economy.
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