Nigeria Government Targets 50,000 AI Jobs by 2030
TECH DIGEST- In a forward-looking initiative, the Federal Government of Nigeria is setting its sights on the creation of approximately 50,000 jobs by the year 2030 through the harnessing of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, unveiled this ambitious plan as part of the ministry’s four-year blueprint, titled “Accelerating Our Collective Prosperity Through Technical Efficiency.”
Drawing inspiration from reputable sources such as the PwC Report, McKinsey Global Institute Analysis, and the Accenture Report, Minister Tijani emphasized the transformative potential of AI, heralding a new era of technological and economic progress over the next two decades.
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Acknowledging Nigeria’s status as an emerging economy, Minister Tijani stressed the importance of formulating a comprehensive national strategy to leverage AI inclusively and responsibly. He highlighted the country’s unique approach to nurturing expertise and perspectives to craft a forward-looking strategy.
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The minister outlined vital objectives, including elevating Nigeria’s position as a top-10 location for AI model training and talent globally and establishing the nation as a leader in fostering inclusivity in AI dataset development. Furthermore, the plan seeks to propel Nigeria into the top 50 global rankings for AI readiness and adoption across various metrics, including computing power, skills, data availability, ethics, and governance, by the year 2030.
The comprehensive blueprint is built upon five foundational pillars: knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship, capital (IEC), and trade. These pillars are integral to the ministry’s mission and interconnected, serving as the cornerstone of the strategy.
Minister Tijani articulated the government’s commitment to this transformative journey, recognizing the challenges ahead and viewing them as opportunities for growth and adaptation. The overarching goal is to harness technology’s power to enhance Nigeria’s global standing, foster sustainable employment opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for all Nigerians. This initiative aligns with the belief that AI could potentially contribute trillions to the global economy by 2030, with a significant portion coming from increased productivity and the introduction of new products and services, as indicated by a PwC report from 2018.
