Call for Applications: Lagos State EkoAI Academy 2026 – Free AI Training for 10,000 Young Lagosians
Applications are now open for the EkoAI Academy, a free artificial intelligence skills programme designed to equip 10,000 young Lagos residents with practical AI skills they can use to secure jobs, improve their careers, start businesses and grow existing businesses.
The programme is an initiative of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), delivered through Lagos Innovates in partnership with InnoPower.
EkoAI Academy is open to Lagos residents aged 18 to 40, and applicants do not need coding skills or previous technology experience to participate.
About EkoAI Academy
EkoAI Academy was created to make practical artificial intelligence skills accessible to young people across Lagos State.
Rather than requiring participants to become programmers, the Academy focuses on practical ways people can use existing AI tools to improve their productivity, employability and businesses.
A major component of the training is prompt engineering – learning how to communicate effectively with AI tools using everyday language to generate useful results for work, business and other practical tasks.
The programme aims to train 10,000 young Lagosians.
About the Organisers
EkoAI Academy is an initiative of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, delivered through Lagos Innovates in partnership with InnoPower.
Lagos Innovates is an initiative within the LSETF ecosystem focused on supporting technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in Lagos.
The programme uses a train-the-trainer structure to extend AI education into communities across the state.
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How the Programme Works
EkoAI Academy will operate through 100 Certified Trainers.
These trainers complete an advanced prompt engineering programme before delivering training to learners within their communities.
The structure is designed as follows:
- 100 Certified Trainers are trained and certified
- Each Certified Trainer guides approximately 100 learners
- Training is delivered to 10,000 young Lagosians across the state
- Learners complete the programme and receive recognition/certification
Certified Trainer positions are filled through targeted selection and are separate from general learner enrollment.
Two Training Tracks
Applicants can select between two learning tracks depending on their goals.
1. Job Seeker Track
This track is designed for participants who want to use AI to improve their employability and career prospects.
Participants will learn practical ways to use AI for areas such as:
- Improving job applications
- Preparing stronger professional materials
- Interview preparation
- Workplace productivity
- Developing relevant digital capabilities
- Using AI effectively in professional environments
2. Entrepreneurship Track
This track is designed for participants who want to start or grow a business using AI.
The training covers practical applications of AI for areas such as:
- Business planning
- Finding and understanding customers
- Marketing
- Content and communication
- Improving everyday business operations
- Increasing productivity
- Using AI to support business growth
Applicants choose their preferred track during enrollment.
What Participants Will Learn
The Academy focuses on practical AI skills that participants can begin applying immediately.
A major area of training is prompt engineering, which teaches learners how to give effective instructions to AI systems to obtain useful results.
Participants will learn how AI can be incorporated into everyday tasks relating to employment, entrepreneurship and productivity.
No programming or coding knowledge is required.
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Benefits
Participants will receive:
- Completely free AI skills training
- Practical AI skills for work and business
- Prompt engineering training
- Training delivered within their community by a Certified Trainer
- A certificate from EkoAI Academy
- Practical knowledge that can be applied immediately
- AI skills for job applications and interview preparation through the Job Seeker Track
- AI skills for business planning, marketing and operations through the Entrepreneurship Track
- Access to a pathway into the wider Lagos Innovates and LSETF ecosystem of opportunities
- Exposure to practical applications of artificial intelligence without needing a technical background
There are no programme fees.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate as a learner, applicants must:
- Be between 18 and 40 years old
- Be a resident of Lagos State
- Have at least a Secondary School Certificate (SSCE)
- Have access to a smartphone or computer
- Have internet access to participate in the programme
Applicants do not need:
- Coding experience
- Previous technology experience
- An AI or computer science background
- A university degree
Candidates who meet all four main eligibility requirements can enroll.
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Who Should Apply?
The programme is suitable for young Lagos residents including:
- Job seekers
- Students and recent graduates
- Employees looking to improve their digital skills
- Entrepreneurs
- Small business owners
- Aspiring entrepreneurs
- Freelancers
- Individuals interested in learning practical AI skills
Because the programme begins from a non-technical level, applicants can participate even if they have never previously worked with AI or coding.
Programme Journey
Participants will progress through the following stages:
1. Registration
Eligible Lagos residents complete the online enrollment process.
2. Certified Trainer Preparation
The programme’s 100 Certified Trainers are selected and complete their advanced training.
3. Community Training
The Certified Trainers deliver training to learners across Lagos, enabling the programme to reach its target of 10,000 participants.
4. Recognition and Completion
Participants who complete the programme progress to the recognition and completion stage.
Programme Cost
The EkoAI Academy is completely free.
Applicants are not required to pay tuition or enrollment fees to participate.
Number of Participants
10,000 young Lagosians will be trained through the programme.
Eligibility Age: 18–40 Years
Minimum Qualification: SSCE
Location: Lagos State, Nigeria