By Akintola Ifeoluwa

I was randomly questioned about my thoughts on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa and more precisely Nigeria. The epicenter of discussion that took place over a couple of minutes was not the common debate on whether or not AI is coming to take over jobs and send people out of offices.

It was on how these tools fit our realities as Nigerian. Being someone is in the communication ecosystem, my submissions were on the need for conversation to fit from and to truly develop indigenous tool that will ease works sighting examples of how to get software to translate or transcribe speech or text from any language to Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, at least for a start. This is to enable those in rural areas get more information than they already have at their disposal.

Minutes later, a news story captioned, “Meta, FG Launch AI Academy Nigeria To Boost Local AI Talent” was shared with me. The Academy, joint capacity-building initiative spearheaded by Meta in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) for me appears like a bold step forward for the nation’s technology ecosystem especially after the conversation I just had.

Integrated into the broader 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) framework, the initiative is structured to equip developers, early-career professionals, and entrepreneurs with practical artificial intelligence skills.

Through a multi-track curriculum featuring developer bootcamps and an AI Startup Pitchathon culminating at GITEX Nigeria and Meta’s global AI Summit in Istanbul, the program aims to cultivate a pipeline of globally competitive innovators.

But one is still compelled to ask, as the nation invests heavily in building AI talent, a fundamental question remains, AI for whom?

Nigeria is home to over 200 million citizens speaking more than 500 indigenous languages and dialects. Despite this rich linguistic diversity, the global artificial intelligence paradigm remains overwhelmingly dominant in English and a handful of Western languages.

This dynamic creates a distinct digital divide. For AI to serve as a truly transformative tool across Nigeria’s socio-economic spectrum, it cannot exist solely as an elite, English-language technology restricted to urban corporate hubs.

Imagine an artificial intelligence architecture capable of communicating fluently in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Kanuri, and Fulfulde. Such localized systems could deliver real-time agricultural advisory services to smallholder farmers, provide accessible healthcare guidance to rural communities, and offer interactive educational support to young students in their mother tongues.

This vision does not seek to diminish the importance of English as a medium for global commerce and technical exchange; rather, it emphasizes the necessity of developing technologies that are both globally competitive and locally resonant.

The establishment of AI Academy Nigeria provides an opportune moment for local developers, researchers, and policy architects to expand the scope of innovation. To ensure technological progress does not marginalize millions of non-English speakers, the government, private sector partners, academic institutions, and technology startups must prioritize the creation of robust local-language datasets.
Building comprehensive natural language processing (NLP) models tailored to African languages requires deliberate investment in open-source data collection, linguistic research, and localized computing resources.

Technological advancement should serve as an instrument of broad-based inclusion, ensuring no citizen is left behind simply because technology fails to speak their language.

As Nigeria positions itself as a leading force in Africa’s digital economy, its AI ecosystem must reflect its cultural and linguistic reality. Building AI that understands, speaks to, and serves the Nigerian people is not merely a preference, it is an imperative for sustainable development.

And this is simply why Indigenous languages must anchor Nigeria’s digital future.

Ifeoluwa is an NYSC Corps member. She can be reached at: ifeoluwaakintola13@gmail.com

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By Dr Segun H. Olugbile FNCS, Convener, Nigeria AI Governance Forum (NAIGF),

The recent unveiling of the GovGuide Nigeria AI Chatbot at Meta’s Economic Impact Report event has generated considerable discourse across the national digital ecosystem. Jointly launched by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in partnership with Meta, the platform is positioned as a gateway to streamline citizen access to public service information across dozens of federal ministries and agencies.

While the initiative represents an intentional step toward leveraging conversational interfaces for governance, a rigorous technical and strategic appraisal reveals a profound disconnect between celebratory public relations and the deeper, systemic priorities required to build a resilient, sovereign national digital economy.

However, gauging the technical reality and public expectation, and to assess GovGuide objectively, the Nigerian tech community must separate the underlying engineering from the institutional positioning:

However, for a tech community accustomed to sophisticated tools, GovGuide feels less like advanced AI and more like a restricted, curated search engine. While designed to prevent fake information and ensure strict adherence to official policy,it raises some critical or deeper questions:

Who truly owns or controls our digital future? Should our apex tech agencies be celebrating basic chatbots, or should they be driving deep-tech national sovereignty? Is this the tier of innovation our apex tech agencies should be championing at this stage of our digital evolution? Is there a strategic misalignment between digital public infrastructure and deep-tech research and development?

As Convener of the Nigeria Forum for AI Governance, I believe this initiative reveals a critical mismatch in our national technology strategy across many fronts. It exposes a fundamental flaw in how the government prioritises its digital public infrastructure (DPI) over enabling the private sector. 

The Risk of Foreign Architecture Dependency:

While GovGuide was assembled by local developers, its core engine relies on algorithmic foundations designed and controlled by a global Big Tech conglomerate. When our apex public agencies celebrate a localised wrapper on foreign models as a crowning national achievement, we risk normalising a culture of technological consumption rather than architectural ownership.

Safeguarding Our Data Sovereignty:

A true AI tool requires strict sovereign privacy engineering and data security architecture. Relying on digital public infrastructure tied to foreign corporate ecosystems creates long-term data dependencies. A secure national AI trajectory must ensure that citizen interactions and metadata remain strictly sovereign, transparent, and legally protected from external corporate capture.

Perils of Consumer-Grade Focus

While building user-friendly frontends for citizens is necessary, over-indexing on public-facing informational chatbots risks creating a superficial digital veneer.

GovGuide addresses bureaucratic navigation, but it does not solve the structural bottlenecks of the Nigerian state. Celebrating a localised implementation of a foreign foundation model as a crowning achievement can inadvertently signal a lack of institutional ambition to the global tech community.

Urgency for Sovereign Deep-Tech

Nigeria’s primary technological deficit is not a lack of interfaces; it is a lack of deep-tech infrastructure, localisedcomputing power, and robust R&D incentives. Rather than dedicating immense state capital and regulatory focus to informational bots, our tech agencies must pivot toward enabling the private sector to develop and deploy advanced, hardened AI solutions for critical sectors such as:

When the state deploys tools built on foreign-owned open-source architectures, it creates long-term dependencies. A strategic tech framework must ensure that our national data architecture remains secure, interoperable, and fully sovereign, rather than reliant on ecosystems controlled by multinational big-tech entities.

GovGuide is not a failure of local engineering, but an example of misplaced institutional emphasis. The local developers who integrated the multilingual capabilities deserve credit for their execution. However, our tech leadership must aim higher.

If Nigeria is to truly lead the African digital revolution, our government agencies must transition from being enthusiastic consumers and customizers of global tech to being aggressive enablers of indigenous, sector-specific deep technology.

We must move past the era of celebrating basic chatbots and enter the era of engineering true national resilience. Who controls our digital future? The answer must be Nigeria.

It is now a critical time to call for a higher digital transformation target and strategic ecosystem intervention to shape the government’s priorities and direction in AI toolassessment, investment, adoption, and infrastructure development for collective national purposes.

Author: Dr Segun H. Olugbile FNCS, Convener Nigeria AI Governance Forum (NAIGF)

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My recent visit to Gombe for a capacity-building programme on Artificial Intelligence and strategic communication offered more than professional engagement—it provided a revealing glimpse into the state’s evolving political dynamics ahead of the next gubernatorial race.

From the airport to the city centre, one could not miss the growing visibility of Professor Ali Isa Pantami, the former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy. His images adorned commercial vehicles and strategic locations, signalling what many interpret as an early but deliberate build-up of political momentum.

I must state upfront that Pantami is a brotherly friend with whom I have shared years of a professional relationship. He listens, reflects, and applies constructive criticism—even when such engagement is not publicly acknowledged. Over time, this trait has shaped my own perspective about him, transforming me from a critic into an admirer of his policy-driven approach to governance.

This evolution informed my decision to author “Pantami: Trials and Triumphs of a Digital Economy Maestro,” a work that chronicles his reform agenda, policy battles, achievements, and controversies during his tenure in public office. His role in navigating complex institutional disputes—from multiple taxation in the telecom sector to the NIN-SIM linkage challenges and stamp duty controversies—demonstrated an uncommon capacity to manage bureaucratic tensions within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Equally significant were the external pressures he confronted, including the ASUU versus IPPIS/UTAS dispute, the controversy surrounding his professorship at Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), and allegations linking him to extremist narratives. These episodes tested his resilience, yet they also reinforced his ability to withstand public scrutiny.

Beyond controversies, Pantami’s legacy in expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure is undeniable. Institutions such as the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (NDIEC), and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) stand as enduring pillars of his contribution to the country’s digital transformation. These initiatives not only strengthened the country’s digital ecosystem but also created new economic opportunities.

Given this background, his entry into the gubernatorial race under the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not a surprise. What is more intriguing, however, is the intensity of reactions—both supportive and oppositional—that his ambition has generated.

During my interactions with journalists, academics, students, and even artisans in Gombe, I sought to understand the political terrain beyond social media narratives. The responses I received were candid, diverse, and, in some cases, sobering.

There are indeed forces—both within the state and at the federal level—who would prefer alternative candidates to emerge as the APC flag bearer. For some, Pantami’s perceived bluntness, independent-mindedness, and principled stances make him a difficult figure within conventional political structures. For others, it is simply a matter of competing interests and entrenched loyalties.

To move beyond speculation, I probed further: who are the likely contenders?
At the federal level, names such as Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali—a two-term senator and former Minister of Transportation—feature prominently. His political network and relationship with Vice President Kashim Shettima are seen as strategic advantages. Similarly, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, a three-term member of the House of Representatives and Chief Whip, is widely regarded as a formidable contender with strong legislative backing.

Within the state, influential figures such as the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, and the Accountant-General, Prince Aminu Umar Yuguda—both considered close allies of Governor Inuwa Yahaya—are also being mentioned in political calculations.

From the private sector, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, former Managing Director of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), is reputed to possess strong financial backing and elite networks. Other notable figures include Architect Yunusa Yakubu of Nobel Nigeria Ltd and Engr. Aliyu Mohammed (Combat) of the Velocity Group—both successful entrepreneurs with growing political interest.

While many of these aspirants are yet to formally declare their intentions, Pantami has already taken the decisive step of publicly announcing his ambition—an indication of confidence and readiness.

The critical question, however, is not just about who is contesting, but what the electorate truly desires. Pantami arguably enjoys a unique advantage in name recognition, intellectual pedigree, and a public service track record that resonates beyond partisan lines. His blend of religious scholarship, technological expertise, and administrative experience positions him differently from traditional politicians.

Yet, politics is rarely decided by credentials alone.

There are legitimate concerns about whether his technocratic style can seamlessly translate into grassroots political leadership. There are also debates about the role of religious scholars in partisan politics—a discourse that often surfaces in Nigeria’s complex socio-political environment.

However, such arguments must be approached with balance. Nigeria has seen Christian clerics ascend to governorships. The 2023 elections were spectacular as two ordained Christian ministers — Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, a Catholic priest, and Pastor Umo Eno, founder of All Nations Christian Ministry International — were sworn in as Governors of Benue and Akwa Ibom States, respectively. Many observers viewed this as a culmination of longstanding advocacy by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for greater Christian participation in politics.

It would therefore be inconsistent to deny an Islamic scholar the same democratic opportunity to test his competence through the ballot. Ultimately, democracy thrives on choice, not exclusion.

As observers—particularly those of us who are not direct participants in Gombe’s political process—it is neither our place to impose candidates nor to dismiss legitimate aspirations. We can advocate for a fair, transparent, and competitive process that lets the best ideas and leadership qualities emerge.

Yushau A. Shuaib, the Author of “An Encounter with the Spymaster” writes from Abuja and can be reach via yashuaib@gmail.com

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The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for stronger collaboration among key stakeholders to unlock opportunities in Nigeria’s digital economy and accelerate national development.

Inuwa made the call at the NITDA-States IT Stakeholders’ Engagement and Ecosystem Development programme themed “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries: Towards Digitalization and Entrepreneurial Evolution,” held in Abuja.

Represented by Mr. Ajayi Babajide, Director of Zonal Office Coordination, the NITDA boss said Nigeria—Africa’s largest economy by Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—is at a critical juncture that requires urgent diversification. He noted that the digital economy offers a strategic pathway to sustainable growth, job creation, and inclusive development.

According to him, digitalisation has become a major driver of economic transformation in today’s interconnected world, providing unprecedented access to knowledge and enabling developing nations to compete globally. He stressed that the technology sector remains one of the fastest-growing and most impactful segments of the global economy, urging Nigeria to position itself to fully harness its potential.

Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s mandate to drive and coordinate digital innovation nationwide, adding that the agency is committed to creating an enabling environment that empowers all sectors, including underserved communities. He highlighted the implementation of the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and deliver life-transforming opportunities.

He also referenced the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), which aims to equip citizens with essential digital skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. The DG disclosed that NITDA has established over 100 IT centres across the country and provided infrastructure to support digital learning and skills acquisition.

However, he emphasised that sustaining and expanding these initiatives would require deeper collaboration among government at all levels, the private sector, academia, and civil society. He noted that innovation thrives in ecosystems supported by effective policies, access to funding, and enabling regulations.

The NITDA chief further stressed the importance of investing in innovation hubs and incubators to nurture startups from ideation to market readiness, enabling them to compete globally. He added that the agency continues to support entrepreneurship through initiatives such as the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), which provide incubation, acceleration, and training programmes.

While acknowledging that Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem has attracted significant investment and produced globally recognised startups, including unicorns, Inuwa said more efforts are needed to sustain the momentum.

He reiterated that digitalisation holds immense potential for economic diversification, job creation, and inclusive growth, but warned that these opportunities must be deliberately harnessed through robust policies, legal frameworks, and strong institutional support.

The engagement, he said, provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, co-create solutions, and align strategies for the effective rollout of digital initiatives across states in line with SRAP 2.0. He expressed confidence that collective efforts would deliver lasting impact and urged participants to remain committed to building a future where innovation thrives and opportunities are widely accessible.

In his keynote address, Eric Monday, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology in Kogi State, said the state’s digital strategy focuses on applying technology to critical sectors such as healthcare, works, and environmental management.

He noted that outcomes from previous stakeholder engagements had helped shape actionable plans, emphasising the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable progress.

“Our goal is to learn from others while also sharing our experiences. The knowledge gained from engagements like this will help us strengthen our systems, create opportunities for our youth, and support skills development,” he said.

Monday also revealed that a skills acquisition centre supported by development partners is nearing completion and will soon begin training young people in relevant digital skills. He added that the state is expanding partnerships beyond Nigeria, including collaborations with Chinese organisations, to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and unlock new economic opportunities.

Other dignitaries at the event included Mr. Damina John, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Nasarawa State, and Mrs. Aisha Rufai, Executive Director, Commercial and Industry Development at the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

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In a significant step toward fostering artificial intelligence (AI) innovation in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, in partnership with Google, has announced the 10 Nigerian startups selected to receive support from the newly established N100 million AI Fund.

This fund, developed by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and Google, will allocate N10 million to each chosen startup.Additionally, recipients will gain access to up to $3.5 million in Google Cloud Credits to facilitate their growth and scaling.

In addition to financial backing, these startups will receive access to advanced AI tools, mentorship from Google’s AI experts, and connections to a global network of innovators and partners. The selected startups span diverse sectors, each aiming to address critical local challenges:

BetaLife Health: Uses AI to predict blood demand and match blood types for Africa’s blood supply needs.

Bunce: An AI platform that centralizes and personalizes customer engagement for businesses.

CDIAL AI: Offers text-to-speech and speech-to-text AI services in 13 languages to underserved regions.

Farmspeak: Utilizes AI to assist livestock farmers in disease detection and climate control.

Lendsqr: Streamlines lending operations with AI, helping lenders and borrowers worldwide.

ProDevs: Matches African tech talent with global employers using AI for job classification and matching.

Rana Energy: AI-powered energy management to optimize sustainable power for underserved communities.

SaaSPro Health: AI-enhanced healthcare documentation tools designed for Nigerian doctors.

Towntalk: Delivers contextual security insights for African communities using AI.

Google has emphasized the role of these startups in healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, viewing them as catalysts for economic growth.

“Across Africa, entrepreneurs are harnessing the power of technology, including AI, to address large-scale societal challenges,” said Matt Brittin, President of Google for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

“Google remains committed to supporting these innovators, helping them expand their impact across the continent and beyond.”

Public First, a global consulting firm, recently reported that AI has the potential to add as much as $15 billion to Nigeria’s economy by 2030.

Google’s support of this initiative aligns with its broader commitment to Nigeria, including a N1.2 billion digital skills initiative launched in 2023, which aims to empower 20,000 Nigerians through technology.

This partnership is a strategic push to harness AI’s potential for sustainable development and economic growth in Nigeria and across Africa.

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Today, the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka, paid a visit to the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in Abuja, where he was received by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

The purpose of this high-level visit is to further cement the strong collaboration between NITDA and JICA, focusing on fostering innovation and knowledge sharing in driving the Nigeria startup ecosystem in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s priority area of accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing and innovation.

Dr. Tanaka commended NITDA’s remarkable initiatives of training youth, providing them with digital and emerging technologies skills to innovate.

He expressed his admiration for the agency’s commitment to building the capacity of young Nigerians and equipping them with the tool

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The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced the government’s plan to launch a $1.5 million initiative aimed at accelerating Artificial Intelligence (AI) development in Nigeria. This initiative, which will be officially unveiled on October 7th in Abuja, represents another step in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its AI capabilities and enhance its digital economy.

Tijani made the disclosure during an interview with Arise TV, following his participation in the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He revealed that the $1.5 million fund is being provided by Luminate, a global foundation committed to ensuring that people have access to information, rights, and the ability to influence decisions that impact their lives.

This announcement comes just weeks after the government launched a N100 million AI fund in collaboration with Google. However, the initiative faced criticism from the tech community for being too small to make a significant impact.

Addressing these concerns, Tijani clarified that the criticism stemmed from a misunderstanding, explaining that the N100 million fund was only a part of broader efforts to attract more resources.

“Our strategy with AI isn’t to limit it to local resources—we are pooling resources together.

On the 7th of October in Abuja, or we are launching an additional $1.5 million in support from Luminate,” the Minister emphasized.

Tijani also revealed that the Ministry is working on establishing a National Artificial Intelligence Trust in collaboration with the AI Collaborative. This trust will focus on ensuring that AI development in Nigeria is ethical, safe, and sustainable, with particular attention to the inclusion of local languages in AI development.

“As we build our large language models and digitize our data, we’ll be able to monetize these efforts, with proceeds going back into the Trust to support further AI development,” he stated.

The Minister also touched on balancing high-level technological advancements with addressing grassroots issues.

While acknowledging that large-scale projects may not receive immediate recognition, he stressed the long-term benefits of such initiatives, particularly in terms of infrastructure development.

“Technology’s role in society is to enable progress, and that doesn’t happen overnight,” he said, referencing the government’s ongoing project to lay 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables across Nigeria.

He noted that while the project would take 18 months to secure $2 billion in funding and 2-3 years for full installation, it would be vital for the nation’s future.

Additionally, Tijani highlighted the government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MT) initiative, which has already created job opportunities for Nigerians, especially those trained under its programs.

He also mentioned the 774 Project, which aims to connect local government Secretariat to improve grassroots service delivery.

The new AI initiative follows the National AI Workshop held in April, where the Ministry launched the AI Collective, a community of practice focused on building an inclusive AI ecosystem in Nigeria.

Luminate’s $1.5 million funding will support the work of three key organizations—Data Science Nigeria, Lagos Business School, and the Center for Journalism, Innovation, and Development—over the next three years. These organizations will bring together experts from various sectors to drive research, governance, and innovation in AI development.

The AI Collective is hosted at the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in Abuja.

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The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), has launched a N100 million AI Fund to support local startups leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for innovative solutions.

The initiative, backed by tech giant Google, aims to foster development, innovation, and well-being in Nigeria by encouraging AI-driven technological advancements.The AI Fund is open to Nigerian-based startups focused on AI solutions with the potential for significant impact.

Selected startups will receive up to N10 million in funding, along with access to Google’s extensive resources, including AI tools, mentorship, and a global network to help them scale their innovations.

To qualify, startups must be headquartered in Nigeria, have at least one Nigerian founder, focus on AI-driven solutions with scalability beyond the local market, and demonstrate early traction and product-market fit with a live product. Applications opened on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, and will close on September 25, 2024. Qualified and interested startups can apply here.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, emphasized the significance of the AI Fund: “The AI Fund is a critical step in nurturing homegrown innovation that addresses local challenges and contributes to economic growth. By supporting our startups, we are not only investing in their success but also in the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.”

Dr. Bunmi Ajala, National Coordinator of NCAIR, highlighted the partnership with Google as a reflection of their shared vision for Nigeria’s technological advancement.

“The AI Fund is designed to empower our entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create impactful AI solutions. We are excited to see the transformative innovations that will emerge from this program,” Ajala stated.

Olumide Balogun, Google’s West Africa Director, reiterated the company’s commitment to enhancing digital capabilities across Africa: “Google’s support for the AI Fund is part of our broader mission to enhance digital capabilities across Africa. We are committed to providing Nigerian startups with the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to innovate and succeed on a global stage.”

Google’s involvement in the AI Fund aligns with its broader AI commitments across Africa, reflecting its dedication to fostering technological growth and innovation on the continent.

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The Federal Government has awarded a total of N200 million in grants to 55 Nigerian researchers and innovators through its Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme (NAIRS) and Fourth Industrial Revolution Technology Application (4IRTA) programs.

This was announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), where he also outlined the Ministry’s plans for the coming year.

Dr. Tijani highlighted that the government is currently working to harness the results of the funded research and solutions for the benefit of the economy.

“After awarding grants totaling N200 million under these two thematic programs to 55 Nigerian researchers and innovators, we are collating the outcomes of their demonstration projects to scale relevant solutions to businesses to drive increased productivity,” Tijani stated.

“We plan to expand these demonstration projects to other sectors, such as education and healthcare.”

Under the NAIRS scheme, 45 Nigerian researchers were selected in December last year to receive grants to develop artificial intelligence (AI) projects across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education.

The scheme aims to foster a vibrant and sustainable AI ecosystem in Nigeria by providing grants, facilitating knowledge sharing, and promoting collaboration among individuals and organizations within the AI industry.

The Minister emphasized that the selected researchers’ proposals address some of Nigeria’s pressing challenges and have the potential to “revolutionize industries, empower communities, and unlock a future full of possibilities.

“Similarly, in January this year, 10 startups were shortlisted under the 4IRTA program to receive up to N10 million in funding to deepen the application of agricultural technologies.

This initiative supports President Bola Tinubu’s mandate to cultivate 500,000 hectares of land across Nigeria to enhance food security.

Discussing further efforts to promote AI development and adoption in Nigeria, Dr. Tijani noted that the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy draft document is currently being reviewed by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Once approved, it will serve as a national policy to guide all government efforts in AI.

The government has also formed the AI Collective, which will collaborate on research, projects, hackathons, and seminars to develop an inclusive approach to AI initiatives in Nigeria.

In addition to the AI Strategy, the government recently launched its own Large Language Model (LLM), positioning Nigeria as a leader in AI on the African continent.

According to Dr. Tijani, the LLM will be trained in five low-resource languages and accented English to ensure stronger language representation in existing datasets for developing AI solutions.

The AI tool is currently being developed by Nigerian startup Awarri, in partnership with global tech company DataDotOrg, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR).

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Nigeria’s digital journey is accelerating; at the forefront of this unprecedented growth is the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and one of its key strengths lies in its collaborative approach. Through collaboration with tech hubs, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders, NITDA is laying the groundwork for a thriving digital economy.

NITDA’s partnerships span across various sectors, and this multifaceted approach ensures a comprehensive strategy for digital literacy and innovation. Among the critical areas of focus are training programmes in artificial intelligence (AI), coding, cybersecurity, and basic digital literacy. These initiatives are not just about imparting knowledge; they are about equipping Nigerians with the skills necessary to thrive in a digital economy.

These programmes directly address the need for a digitally literate workforce, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. To equip Nigerians with the skills for the digital age, NITDA aims to achieve a remarkable target of 70% digital literacy by the year 2027.

Through its collaborative training programmes, NITDA is birthing a new generation of highly talented Nigerians. Tech hubs across the country are buzzing with activity, where participants are immersed in learning experiences that cover the latest advancements in technology. Educational institutions are also critical in this endeavour. For this reason, NITDA is working with Federal Ministry of Education to integrate these programmes into their curricula to produce graduates that are ready to meet the demands of the digital age.

Beyond education and training, NITDA’s role includes the co-creation of policies that create a conducive environment for tech startups and established companies alike. By setting standards and regulations, NITDA ensures that innovation can flourish while maintaining the integrity and security of the digital infrastructure.

One notable example is NITDA’s involvement in developing guidelines for AI and data protection, which are crucial as the world increasingly relies on data-driven decision-making. These regulations not only protect users but also provide a clear framework for companies to innovate confidently.

This focus on collaboration extends beyond domestic partnerships. NITDA actively seeks partnerships with international stakeholders. A recent example is the collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, to host the Global Tech Africa Summit. The event brought together African and international players in the tech space, fostering knowledge exchange and creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

The Agency has recognised the transformative power of skill-based trainings, this prompted it to recently deepen its strategic partnership with Cisco to harness these technologies for Nigeria’s development. This collaboration is not just a step forward; it is a leap toward a future where technology drives sustainable growth and innovation across multiple sectors.

This partnership in practical sense, has several ambitious initiatives designed to showcase the capabilities of emerging technologies. Pilot projects are being rolled out to demonstrate the practical applications of these technologies in real-world settings.

In another circumstance, NITDA partnered TikTok to address some of the most pressing issues in the digital age. The partnership focuses on ensuring the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), promoting digital literacy, and creating a positive and secure online space for users.

The importance of this collaboration cannot be overemphasised, especially now that social media becomes increasingly integral to everyday life – the potential for both positive engagement and negative consequences grows. NITDA aims to leverage TikTok platform’s extensive reach and technological prowess to implement robust measures that safeguard users, particularly the younger demographic, who are the most active on social media.

NITDA recently collaborated with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, known as the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Digital Transformation Center (GIZ/DTC) to host a stakeholder awareness event focused on the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) in Lagos.

This initiative aims to address the digital divide and equip Nigerians with critical digital skills, underscoring its ongoing commitment to fostering digital inclusion across the nation.

Collaboration with GIZ focuses on bridging the digital divide and empowering Nigerians with essential digital skills. A recent example is their joint effort on developing robust standards for digital literacy content to ensure high-quality learning materials are aligned with Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).

These are just a few examples of NITDA’s ongoing efforts to foster collaboration within the tech ecosystem. The Agency actively seeks partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including High Tech, Telecommunication and Tech-enabled companies, Tech startups, Development Agencies, etc.

NITDA’s commitment to fostering innovation is evident in its establishment of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) like the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR). These SPVs act as catalysts for collaboration within the tech ecosystem, allowing for the implementation of initiatives like the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support (TIES) Scheme and the iHatch Startup Incubation Programme.

In one of his public outings, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, stated that “Collaborating with stakeholders is fundamental to our mission. By working together, we can create an ecosystem that supports innovation and sustainable growth, ensuring that Nigeria is not just a consumer of technology but a key player in the global tech arena.”

“The goal is to create a sustainable digital ecosystem where everyone has the opportunity to participate and benefit. Our partnerships are crucial in bridging the skills gap and ensuring that Nigeria’s digital economy is inclusive and resilient”, Inuwa explained.

As Nigeria stands on the cusp of a digital revolution, NITDA’s partnerships serve as a beacon of what is possible when government, industry, and academia come together with a shared vision. The journey to 70% digital literacy by 2027 is ambitious, but with the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders, it is a goal well within reach. Through these efforts, Nigeria is not just preparing for the future; it is shaping it.

Mubarak writes from Abuja

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