The Government Affairs Director, Microsoft West Africa, Nonye Ujam, has identified Nigeria’s public service workforce as the critical driver of the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions, arguing that investment in the skills of policymakers and civil servants will determine whether AI becomes a catalyst for national development.

Ujam said countries making the fastest progress in AI were not necessarily those with the most advanced technologies, but those that invested early in building institutional capacity within government.
According to her, Microsoft’s research shows that successful AI-driven nations introduced AI into public administration long before generative AI became mainstream, embedding it into governance and public service delivery through a gradual and structured process.

She added that studies by the OECD indicate AI improves efficiency, accountability and public service delivery only when government officials possess sufficient knowledge to oversee implementation, coordinate across agencies and make informed policy decisions.

“Public sector leaders do not need to become technologists, but they do require sufficient fluency to design effective policies, assess risk and guide innovation with confidence,” Ujam said.

She noted that while many governments are experimenting with AI through pilot projects, inadequate AI literacy among civil servants often prevents such initiatives from expanding into sustainable national programmes.
Highlighting Nigeria’s aspirations, Ujam said the country’s National AI Strategy reflects a commitment to ethical and inclusive AI built on local talent, effective governance and strategic partnerships. However, she observed that AI adoption in 2025 remained modest, with shortages of skilled professionals in areas such as data engineering, machine learning and AI system optimisation slowing progress.

According to her, the challenge is global, as the rapid pace of AI innovation continues to outstrip the ability of governments to adapt policies, regulations and public service systems.
She stressed that strengthening public sector capability should begin with identifying institutional skills gaps before rolling out targeted training programmes.

Ujam said governments making the greatest progress in AI typically start by equipping senior policymakers and legislators with practical knowledge of emerging technologies, enabling them to develop forward-looking legislation and effective oversight frameworks.
She pointed to Nigeria’s Transformational Leadership in AI programme, which has trained members of the National Assembly and senior officials across ministries, departments and agencies, as an example of building AI capacity from the top.

She also cited collaborations with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), saying agency-specific training on data governance, responsible AI and cybersecurity is helping strengthen institutional readiness.
Beyond leadership, Ujam said wider capacity-building initiatives, including the Developers in Government (DevsInGov) programme and the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, offer opportunities to expand AI skills across the public sector and the broader digital ecosystem.

She maintained that training programmes tailored to the realities of government institutions are more effective than generic digital skills courses designed for commercial organisations.
According to Ujam, a well-equipped public sector creates the regulatory certainty, trust and policy consistency needed to encourage private sector investment and accelerate AI adoption across the economy.

“Nigeria’s AI opportunity remains significant. With a rapidly expanding digital ecosystem, the country is positioned to shape AI development across Africa. Realising this opportunity will depend not only on technology, but on sustained investment in institutional capability. Nigeria’s most consequential AI investment may not be in hardware or software, but in the people who shape how these tools are deployed in the public interest,” she said.