In July this year, the first cohort of the six-month “Gen AI Fellowship” officially kicked off in Abeokuta, as the Ogun State Government and the Bosun Tijani Foundation joined forces to equip a new generation of Nigerian talent with world-class artificial intelligence (AI) skills.
The fellowship is hosted at the ICT Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and features two primary tracks: AI Engineering and AI Developer. Over the span of six months, participants will engage in intensive, in-person training five days a week. Selected fellows will also receive a monthly stipend of ₦50,000, contingent on consistent attendance and performance.
Dr. Tijani recently spent time in Abeokuta with participants of the first cohort and remarked:
Listening to their stories reminded me so much of my own beginnings in Abeokuta— filled with curiosity, courage and a deep desire to learn. Many of them are already showing interest in working on inspiring AI solutions – from tracking forest inventory and supporting legal administration, to improving healthcare diagnosis and many more .
Each story reflected resilience and determination to rise above challenges and seize the opportunity this programme provides. Its only 3 months in, but I’m excited to see what they’ll achieve and remain committed to offering all the support and guidance they need to succeed.
The launch of the Gen AI Fellowship marks a pivotal moment for tech talent development in Nigeria—especially within Ogun State. By marrying rigorous technical training with real-world project work and a clear pathway to outcomes, the partnership aims to ensure that Nigeria’s youth are not merely learners—but creators, innovators and leaders in the global AI economy.
The initiative also underlines Ogun State’s ambition to become a hub for digital skills and innovation within Nigeria, aligning with broader national efforts to bridge the technology and workforce readiness gap—especially in AI, which is increasingly viewed as critical to future economic growth.