Nigerian AI startup Awarri is teaming up with 500 fellows from the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative to expand its Large Language Multilingual (LLM) AI model. The collaborative effort, championed by Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, signifies a major milestone for AI development in Nigeria.
LLM AI Model and Ambitious Goals
Unveiled in April 2024, the LLM AI model is a groundbreaking project aimed at leveraging AI and technology to preserve and promote Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage. By using text and audio datasets, the model aims to empower local content creators and developers while enhancing the representation of underrepresented languages. To achieve this, it will be trained on five languages with minimal digital representation and various English accents.
Enlistment and Integration of 3MTT Fellows
In line with Awarri’s plans, the integration of 500 fellows from the 3MTT initiative marks a significant step toward achieving the goal of involving over 7,000 3MTT fellows in the project’s future phases. The 3MTT initiative, overseen by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, is strategically designed to cultivate a robust pipeline of technical talent within the country. It aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to generate 2 million digital jobs by 2025 and provide training for 30,000 individuals in critical technical domains.
Awarri’s Commitment and Expansion
Awarri, co-founded by Silas Adekunle and Eniola Edun, vows to address youth unemployment and the technical skills deficit in Nigeria by training and employing 5,000 young Nigerians by 2026. The company, which boasts a formidable team of over 100 locally trained AI specialists, is dedicated to contributing significantly to the nation’s technological advancement and economic growth.
Government’s Strategic Drive for Digital Transformation
The latest initiative from Awarri and 3MTT aligns with the Nigerian Federal Government’s comprehensive digital transformation drive, focusing on the integration and advancement of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain technologies. This drive has prompted plans to establish dedicated research centers across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, concentrating on the study and application of emerging technologies.
Ambitious Training Program and Government’s Vision
In line with the government’s commitment to position Nigeria at the forefront of the global technology landscape, an ambitious training program aims to equip 1,000 Nigerian citizens annually with expertise in AI, blockchain, and other pivotal technologies. This initiative seeks to foster a generation of skilled professionals capable of propelling the country’s digital economy forward.
The collaboration between Awarri and the 3MTT initiative brings hope for the accelerated development of AI in Nigeria, aligning with the government’s vision for a digitally transformed and technologically advanced nation while addressing critical issues such as youth unemployment and the skills gap.