NUC, NOUN, AAU train 931 scholars on AI
A new initiative, aimed at empowering women in Northern Nigeria through Artificial Intelligence (AI) education, has been unveiled in Kaduna State.
The state government partnered Google and Data Science Nigeria to introduce the ‘AI for Beginners Learning Video Series’, which presents AI concepts in Hausa, making complex technology more accessible and culturally relevant for the region.
Similarly, 931 staff of Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education have graduated from an intensive 13-week training on AI to support their teaching, research and community engagement.
In northern Nigeria, various challenges can impact access to tech education and career opportunities. These include diverse socio-cultural dynamics, infrastructural limitations and language barriers. Through its engaging animations and culturally relevant imagery, the ‘AI for Beginners Learning Video Series’ is designed to make complex digital concepts more accessible and relatable, fostering inclusivity and participation in the growing tech sector.
At the launch, yesterday, in Kaduna, the Governor, Uba Sani, described the series as a celebration of technology, education and the immense potential of northern Nigeria’s women.
Sani underscored the government’s commitment to digital transformation and economic growth, saying: “AI is not just the future; it is the present. By equipping our people, especially our women, with AI skills, we are not only paving the way for a more prosperous and innovative northern Nigeria, but also laying the foundation for Kaduna to become a thriving tech hub.”
The Director of Google West Africa, Olumide Balogun, believes that technology can be a powerful force for change, adding: “We are committed to making learning resources available in local languages to empower more people. This series marks a new milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance AI knowledge across Northern Nigeria, fostering a broader understanding and application of AI technologies that drive innovation and create new job opportunities.”
Balogun said, in 2023, the firm, through the philanthropic arm of Google.org, pledged a $1.5 million grant to empower about 20,000 Nigerian women and youths from underserved communities with essential 21st-century skills.
Chief Executive Officer/Founder of Data Science Nigeria, Dr Bayo Adekanbi, added: “By making AI education accessible in Hausa, we are creating opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact.”
THE 13-week training programme, with support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), was organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and West Africa Office of the Association of African Universities (AAU) under the auspices of the Strategy Advisory Committee (STRADVCOM) of NUC.
Speaking to newsmen at the graduation, Prof. Peter Okebukola said: “During the 13 weeks of training, we covered key concepts in AI and had 11 practical sessions”.
Okebukola, who doubles as the Director/Facilitator-General of the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education (VICBHE), through which the training was delivered, explained that the participants could now practically use AI tools to support their teaching, research and community engagement.
Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of NUC and immediate past Chairman, Governing Board of NOUN, expressed delight that the end-of-course project, which all the participants undertook, was on the development of AI policies for their institutions.
The ceremony also witnessed the formal launch by Okebukola for the Nigeria Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP).
