The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and InnoPower Africa have launched EkoAI Academy, a genuinely current, free artificial intelligence skills program targeting 10,000 young Lagosians. The partnership was formally signed in early August 2026, and applications are open now, delivered through Lagos Innovates, an initiative within the LSETF ecosystem.

This scale of ambition, reaching 10,000 learners through a structured train-the-trainer model, reflects Lagos State’s genuine institutional investment in AI literacy specifically, rather than treating artificial intelligence skills as a niche concern relevant only to tech professionals. LSETF itself was created to galvanise the creative and innovative energies of Lagos residents, and this program extends that mandate directly into the AI era.

What EkoAI Academy Actually Teaches

This isn’t a programming bootcamp. EkoAI Academy specifically avoids requiring participants to become coders, instead, it focuses on how to use existing AI tools practically to improve productivity, employability, and business performance. A core component is prompt engineering: learning to communicate effectively with AI tools using everyday language to generate genuinely useful results for work, business, and other practical tasks. This distinction matters, since many people assume any “AI training” program requires technical or coding skills they don’t have, EkoAI Academy is deliberately designed to be accessible without that background.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be aged 18 to 40.
• Must live in Lagos State.
• Must hold at least an SSCE.
• Must have access to a smartphone or computer, along with internet access.
• No coding experience, prior tech exposure, AI or computer science background, or university degree is required.
• A genuine willingness to complete the full training program through to the recognition and completion stage.

Who This Is Designed For

• Job seekers.
• Students and recent graduates.
• Employees looking to upgrade their digital skills.
• Entrepreneurs and small business owners, alongside aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Freelancers.
• Anyone genuinely curious about learning practical AI skills, regardless of career stage or current employment status.

Two Learning Tracks

Applicants choose between two tracks based on their specific goals. One track is designed for individuals who want to use AI to improve their employability and career prospects; the other focuses on applying AI to planning, marketing, and running a business. Select whichever genuinely matches your current priority: job-seeking versus business growth, since these shapes the specific focus of your training, rather than being a purely administrative choice with no bearing on the content you’ll actually receive.

How the Program Is Structured

1. Registration: Eligible Lagos residents complete the online enrolment process.

2. Trainer Preparation: 100 certified trainers are separately selected and undergo an advanced prompt engineering training program.

3. Community Training: Certified trainers deliver AI training directly to learners across Lagos communities, with each trainer guiding roughly 100 learners.

4. Completion: Participants who complete the program progress to the recognition and completion stage, receiving an official EkoAI Academy certificate.

A Distinction Worth Knowing: Trainer vs. Learner

Certified Trainer positions are filled through a separate, targeted selection process, distinct from general learned enrolment. If you’re specifically interested in becoming one of the 100 Certified Trainers rather than a general learner, confirm you’re applying through the correct specific pathway for that role, since submitting a general learner application won’t put you in consideration for a trainer position.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official EkoAI Academy or Lagos Innovates application link https://ekoai-academy.lagosinnovates.ng/ekoai-academy directly, don’t use a third-party link claiming to be official.

2. Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria: age 18–40, Lagos resident, at least SSCE, with device and internet access.

3. Select your preferred track, employability-focused or business-focused, based on your specific goals.

4. Complete the online enrolment form with accurate personal details.

5. Watch for further communication regarding your specific community training group and schedule.

What Participants Gain

• An official EkoAI Academy certificate upon completion.
• Practical AI skills applicable to job applications and interviews.
• AI skills specifically for planning, marketing, and running a business.
• Hands-on exposure to real AI applications, not just theoretical instruction.
• A possible route into the broader Lagos Innovates and LSETF network of further opportunities.
• A genuinely practical skill set applicable across a wide range of jobs and industries, not tied to any single sector.

No Payment Required

There are no fees to join EkoAI Academy at any stage. Do not pay any individual or agent claiming they can guarantee your selection or expedite your enrolment; treat any such request as fraudulent, and apply only through LSETF or Lagos Innovates’ official channels, regardless of how convincing an alternative claim might appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EkoAI Academy currently accepting applications?

Yes. The partnership launching the program was formally signed in early August 2026, and applications are open now.

Do I need a tech background to apply?

No, EkoAI Academy explicitly requires no coding experience, prior tech exposure, or university degree, it’s designed for genuine beginners.

Will I learn to become a programmer?

No, the program focuses specifically on using existing AI tools practically, particularly prompt engineering, rather than teaching participants to code.

Is there a fee to join?

No, EkoAI Academy is entirely free, with no cost to participants at any stage.

How is the program able to reach 10,000 people?

Through a train-the-trainer model, 100 certified trainers are trained first, with each expected to guide approximately 100 learners within their own communities.

Can I apply to become a Certified Trainer instead of a general learner?

Yes, but this runs through a separate, targeted selection process distinct from general learned enrolment. Confirm you’re applying through the correct specific pathway if trainer status is your goal.