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Federal Government backs DBI’s plan to position Nigeria as an AI innovation hub.
The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has announced an ambitious plan to train five million Nigerian workers in Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the next three years. The initiative, backed by the Federal Government, aims to equip both public and private sector employees with future-ready digital skills.
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DBI President and CEO, Daser David, revealed this during the 21st anniversary celebration of DBI in Abuja. He emphasized that the AI training initiative aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida.
“Looking ahead, DBI, through its global network of partners, aims to train five million Nigerian workers across public and private sectors in Artificial Intelligence by 2027,” said David.
Strategic Vision: Preparing Nigeria’s Workforce for the AI Economy
Themed “Preparing Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow’s Market,” the DBI anniversary event underscored the importance of AI-driven workforce development in navigating global digital disruption. David stated that DBI is leveraging international partnerships to bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap and ensure no one is left behind in the global AI revolution.
He called on ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) at all levels of government to collaborate with DBI, noting that the training program has the potential to:
- Drive economic growth
- Improve national productivity
- Enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness
“Nigeria must not lag behind in the AI revolution. DBI is fully committed to positioning the country as a hub for AI innovation and digital training,” David stressed.
Global Partnerships and Expanding Training Platforms
In a goodwill message, Mr. Evelyn Lewis, CEO of SBTS Group—a major DBI partner—praised the institute’s growth and resilience. He disclosed that SBTS has developed over 800 digital training courses in collaboration with DBI, forming a robust platform for delivering cutting-edge digital education across Nigeria.
“Our partnership with DBI is delivering modern, relevant training to Nigerian learners, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly changing global market,” Lewis noted.
Galaxy Backbone: Reskilling for the Future of Work
Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone (GBB), emphasized the critical role of digital re-skilling in the face of automation and cybersecurity threats. Citing the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report (2020), Adeyanju noted that by 2025, 50% of all employees worldwide will require re-skilling, a figure that may be even higher in the ICT sector.
“Without urgent intervention, innovation could outpace implementation, and talent could become a bottleneck rather than a bridge,” he warned.
Adeyanju highlighted that:
- The Fourth Industrial Revolution has redefined job readiness
- Digital literacy is now a baseline requirement for employment
- Global certifications and lifelong learning are essential to future-proof Nigeria’s workforce
Conclusion: Laying the Foundation for Nigeria’s AI Future
With strong support from the Federal Government and strategic industry partnerships, DBI’s AI training program represents a bold step toward preparing Nigeria for the realities of the AI-powered global economy. The program seeks to equip millions with the technical and cognitive skills necessary to thrive in the era of digital transformation.
