NITDA, Google Developers applaud NAIDT for empowering 2,785 Nigerian youths in new techs

*The National Information Technology Development Agency and Google Developers Group commend the IT agency’s Artificial Intelligence Developers Training programme on empowering 2,785 Nigerian youths to transform lives and impact the society positively

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The National Information Technology Development Agency’s AI Developers Training (NAIDT) programme, which started as NITDA Developers Group (NDG) Training, is a programme borne out of the need to accelerate the capacity of young Nigerians in Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is one of the most highly demanded technology talent in the modern world.

The country’s Information Technology regulatory agency stated through NAIDT with the support of volunteers from Google Developers Group (GDG), it has empowered several Nigerian youths.

Cross-sections of Nigerian youths in a session at the AI Developers Training programme 

According to NITDA, the AI Developers Training programme has set the beneficiaries on the path that “will not only transform their lives but will create a positive domino effect that will impact our society.”

Why NITDA, GDG celebrate NAIDT’s ‘remarkable successes’ at one

NAIDT is anchored on the NITDA “Learn, Teach and Earn” philosophy, which has led to graduates of the programme becoming instructors, hence perpetuating a cycle of learning, teaching, and earning.

In regard to achieving the set objectives of the NAIDT programme, NITDA disclosed that former participants are now teaching and mentoring the next generation of technology enthusiasts while augmenting their financial standing through their earnings on the programme.

The agency said: “As NITDA and GDG celebrate NAIDT at one, remarkable successes have been achieved, with not only trained and upskilled Nigerian youths but with participants going ahead to create their innovation-driven startups, such as ElonosiaAI, FundusAI, Gyronics to name a few.

“Others have become ambassadors of tech Giants like Microsoft, while some are using their skills to offer services to foreign companies while living in the country.”

The IT sector regulator further stressed that at one, NAIDT has gone through 12 cohorts, with training for a total of 2,785 Nigerians from all walks of life, such as NYSC corps members, graduates, secondary school students and artisans.

Inuwa congratulates beneficiaries, assures of NITDA’s support for startups

As regards the training modules of the programme, NITDA explained the participants are trained in Machine Learning, Data Analytics and other AI areas, such as Natural Language Processing (NLP).

“The use of AI tools such as ChatGPT to leverage large language models is also taught during the NAIDT training,” stated the agency.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of celebrating NAIDT at one, Malam  Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA, has congratulated the beneficiaries, and pledged to facilitate the success of the startups originating from the programme.

Inuwa also thanked the Google Developers Group for its unwavering support in ensuring the success of the agency’s NAIDT programme.

The IT regulator as well stated the Director-General, however, decried the low percentage of female participants, which stood at less than 10 percent.

Inuwa challenged the GDG to address the gender imbalance by devising innovative ways, such as women-specialised training on AI and other emerging technologies in the global digital ecosystem.

NITDA’s goal of training 1million Nigerian Developers

ConsumerConnect reports NITDA, under the supervision of Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, late August 2023 also opened the application for the group training of Artificial Intelligence (AI) developers in Abuja.

The agency had declared the application open in a statement issued via X (formerly Twitter), noting that the group training was for the Cohort 11 AI developers.

It said: “The free monthly programme at National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Abuja, aligns with NITDA’s goal to train one million Nigerian developers.”

The IT regulator further stated that the two tracks were available for different skill levels: the Beginner and Intermediary.

It also noted that the programme was open to Nigerian youths aged 15 and above, including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, students, graduates and technology enthusiasts in the country.

NITDA, nonetheless, urged applicants to note that the opportunity was available to those residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, or have logistical arrangements to participate in the training programme.