FG Calls Upon Top Nigerian Researchers for National AI Strategy Development
The Nigerian Federal Government has launched an initiative to enlist the expertise of distinguished researchers of Nigerian origin worldwide in crafting the nation’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, revealed this significant effort on Monday through a statement delivered via X. Tijani urged Nigerians to share information about esteemed researchers who could contribute to this endeavor.
Building upon the foundational work accomplished by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the government is taking steps to expand its approach. It seeks to involve eminent AI researchers with Nigerian roots from across the globe, enhancing the co-creation process.
In the official whitepaper elucidating the rationale behind the AI strategy and the importance of researcher involvement, Bosun Tijani explained:”We’re in the process of identifying the foremost researchers of Nigerian origin, regardless of their location, to collaborate with us in shaping the National AI Strategy.
“This strategy will guide our efforts in developing innovative technological solutions for our nation’s most pressing challenges.
“If you are acquainted with researchers, whether Nigerian or not, who have explored aspects relevant to the Nigerian market, we encourage you to share their details.”
The government’s whitepaper underlines the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a versatile technology that is reshaping production methods and service delivery.
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This evolution carries the promise of substantial contributions to economic growth and societal advancement.Citing recent research, the document notes that AI could potentially contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, encompassing $3 trillion from heightened productivity and $9.1 trillion from novel products and services (PwC, 2018).
The International Finance Corporation also predicts that adopting AI strategically could bolster Africa’s GDP by up to $234 billion by 2030. Given Nigeria’s burgeoning technology startup ecosystem, which secured 25% of the $1.3 billion funding for African tech startups in 2021, the country is well-positioned to leverage AI for inclusive growth and economic diversification.
As an innovation trailblazer on the African continent, Nigeria is now embarking on developing a comprehensive national strategy to harness AI’s potential for sustainable progress.
However, the whitepaper acknowledges that AI governance introduces intricate socio-technical challenges. The application of algorithms in critical domains such as healthcare, finance, and security raises concerns about ethics, bias, transparency, job displacement, and privacy.
In consensus, policymakers and researchers affirm the importance of a human-centered approach to ensure equitable and accountable AI systems that serve all sectors of society, transcending gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic backgrounds.In light of these complexities, a National AI Strategy for Nigeria is imperative to steer the AI revolution responsibly towards accomplishing national objectives of fostering job opportunities, inclusive social development, and sustainability.
Guided by cooperative leadership, Nigeria aspires to lead in ethical and inclusive AI innovation, thereby enhancing citizens’ well-being and broadening avenues for advancement.
