Nigeria to Launch AI Development Centre in Abuja
The Shamsudeen Usman Foundation is set to launch Nigeria’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development Centre in Abuja. The centre, which aims to foster skills, innovation, and economic growth through AI, will be officially inaugurated on September 26.
This event will coincide with the foundation’s formal inauguration and the release of a new book chronicling the life of Dr. Shamsudeen Usman.
Founded by the children of Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, a former Minister of Finance and National Planning, the Shamsudeen Usman Foundation seeks to continue his legacy of advancing education and technological development in Nigeria.
The foundation is dedicated to empowering individuals, corporations, researchers, and students to explore and develop cutting-edge AI and technological solutions to address real-world challenges.
At a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Sadiq Usman, Chairman of the Planning Committee, emphasized the significance of the new AI centre.
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He noted that the initiative was part of the foundation’s mission to honour Dr. Usman’s impactful life and to create a lasting legacy for future generations through the promotion of education in the country.
The launch event will also see the unveiling of a new book titled “Public Policy and Agent Interests: Perspectives from the Emerging World.” Co-authored by Dr. Usman, the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, and former Statistician-General of the National Bureau of Statistics Yemi Kale, the book’s proceeds will be directed towards supporting the foundation’s initiatives.
Sadiq Usman highlighted the critical role AI could play in national development, stressing that its application could help Nigeria bridge the gap with more advanced nations and enhance its global competitiveness.
“It’s an emerging science,” he said, pointing out the rapid advancements in AI technologies like ChatGPT.
“The opportunities that AI presents will be very significant, especially in how students learn and the types of work available to them in the future.”
The AI and Technology Development Centre is poised to become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s educational and technological landscape, positioning the nation as a leader in AI innovation across Africa.
 Development Centre in Abuja. The centre, which aim){kind=link}