TL;DR for this Update

• OpenAI Launches First African AI Academy at UNILAG

• Nigerian Federal Government and Google Unveil AI Training For Civil Servants

• Google releases Veo3.1, adds it to Flow Editor

• Apple loses another executive to Meta

• OpenAI pauses Sora video generations of Martin Luther King Jr

• ChatGPT to go 18+

• OpenAI's chip era begins

• Qwen releases dense versions of Qwen 3-VL

• Google Workspace adds HelpMe schedule to Gemini

• Tool of The Week: ElevenLabs

OpenAI Launches First African AI Academy at UNILAG

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is now home to the continent's first Artificial Intelligence Academy, established in partnership with OpenAI, the U.S.-based company behind the generative AI model ChatGPT.

The announcement was made during the opening of UNILAG's 5th International Week, themed “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa.” The new Academy is designed to provide world-class AI skills, capacity building, and applied research opportunities tailored to African contexts for students, researchers, and innovators.

Focus on African Realities

Speaking at the event, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, emphasized that the partnership moves Africa from being a consumer of foreign technology to an active co-creator. “AI is not the future; it is the present. For Africa, AI presents an opportunity to leapfrog systemic challenges. This partnership with OpenAI is not just about learning technology—it’s about shaping it to serve our people,” Prof. Ogunsola stated.

She highlighted that African students are already developing AI models for local challenges, such as health diagnostics in low-connectivity areas and tools for maternal care in rural clinics, which she described as “innovations the world should learn from.”

Democratizing AI Access

Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI’s Africa Lead, confirmed that the Academy—the first of its kind on the continent—will focus on using and building with AI tools across critical sectors, including education, governance, and the creative industries. He noted that the Academy will democratize access to intelligence by offering free AI learning resources and capacity-building opportunities.

“The decision to host the first OpenAI Academy at UNILAG reflected the university's leadership in innovation and digital learning. This academy will not only empower students here but also serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across Africa,” Lubanzadio said.

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, also lauded the initiative, connecting it to the government's National AI Strategy and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, affirming that the government is providing the framework for such private sector resources to thrive.

The Academy's launch is expected to enhance Nigeria’s digital skills base, attract foreign research partnerships, and cement Lagos's status as a regional technology hub, bridging academia, government, and the private sector in shaping the continent’s AI future (Read More)

Kini Big Deal? (Why does it matter?)

This development is massive because it brings OpenAI’s expertise right to the doorstep of Nigeria's largest youth population. It also sets a new benchmark for global tech giants, as they are now competing to establish a presence and train talent locally, moving beyond short-term corporate social responsibility programs. The focus on solutions for African realities, such as low-connectivity health tools, confirms that the world is finally recognizing the value of African context-specific innovation.

AI in Africa

Nigerian Federal Government and Google Unveil AI Training For Civil Servants

The Nigerian Federal Government, in partnership with Google and global training platform Apolitical, has launched the Government AI Campus initiative to equip Nigerian public servants with essential artificial intelligence skills.

The training program, which was unveiled in Abuja, is being implemented through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) and is anchored on the Apolitical Government AI Campus, a global hub for AI training in the public sector supported by Google.org.

The initiative's primary goal is to strengthen the capacity of public sector leaders to effectively integrate AI into government operations and accelerate digital transformation across Nigeria.(Read More)

Kini Big Deal (Why Does This Matter?)

When we talk about AI, the focus is usually on startups, coding bootcamps, and global giants. But the government touches every single person. When government processes are slow, opaque, or inefficient, it drags down the economy and frustrates every citizen, creator, and entrepreneur.

This partnership is an admission that the public sector needs an upgrade, and that radical measures are being made for them to get it. This collaboration between the government and a global tech leader like Google is a powerful signal of commitment. It shows that digital transformation is moving from a talking point to an action plan. The success of this program is one to look forward to, as it will define the efficiency of Nigeria for the next decade.

Other News

• Google Releases Veo3.1, Adds It To Flow Editor

• Apple Loses Another Executive To Meta

• OpenAI Pauses Sora Video Generations Of Martin Luther King Jr

• ChatGPT to go 18+

• OpenAI and Broadway in Hardware Collaboration

• Qwen releases dense versions of Qwen 3-VL

• Google Workspace Adds HelpMe Schedule To Gemini

^{Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post, as it expresses my own opinions.}

About Me

I'm Awaye Rotimi A., your AI Educator and Consultant. I envision a world where cutting-edge technology not only drives efficiency but also scales productivity for individuals and organisations. My passion lies in democratising AI solutions and firmly believing in empowering and educating the African community. Contact me directly, and let’s discuss what AI can do for you and your organisation

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