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

The post ANALYSIS: Why Indigenous Languages Must Anchor Nigeria’s Digital Future By Akintola Ifeoluwa appeared first on Tech Digest News.

Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) has officially announced the inaugural RAIN Hackathon 1.0, a groundbreaking event designed to bring together innovators and trailblazers in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges.

In an exclusive interview with Tech Digest, Dr. Said Ayoola, the Chief Executive Officer of RAIN, emphasized that the hackathon serves as a melting pot for the continent’s brightest minds, offering a platform to develop impactful solutions that will shape the future of technology across Africa.

Dr. Ayoola extended an invitation to newcomers, students, problem-solvers, technology enthusiasts, and seasoned professionals with innovative ideas aimed at addressing challenges spanning various sectors.

“We invite research teams and innovators from across Africa to participate in RAIN Hackathon 1.0,” he stated. “This event brings together the brightest minds in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence to tackle the continent’s most urgent issues.”

He highlighted the importance of collaboration in the field: “By pioneering AI and Robotics solutions across various sectors, we can continue to innovate and shape the technological landscape of Africa.”

The hackathon is open to students, professionals, and tech enthusiasts who possess a genuine passion for solving real-world problems in Africa.

Key competition categories include:

– Food Security: Exploring how technology can ensure a sustainable and resilient food supply.
– National Security: Innovating solutions that enhance safety and security in an increasingly complex world.
– Healthcare: Revolutionizing healthcare systems to improve accessibility and patient outcomes through technology.
– E-Commerce: Leveraging AI and Robotics to create smarter, more efficient e-commerce solutions.
– Special Education: Developing tools that enhance learning experiences for students with special needs.

Participants will also have the opportunity to network with industry experts and connect with leaders in the field, gaining valuable insights and mentorship for personal and professional growth.

In addition to the experience and networking opportunities, teams stand a chance to win cash prizes of up to 1 million Naira.

According to Economic Confidential, the RAIN initiative aims to position Nigeria as a leader in Robotics and AI innovation. RAIN’s objectives include promoting STEM education, supporting entrepreneurship, collaborating with various sectors to shape relevant policies, and organizing events to showcase innovations.

The initiative focuses on five key areas: robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things, and data science. It implements numerous initiatives, including student competitions, AI hackathons, mentorship programs, research grants, and industry partnerships.

RAIN seeks to establish Nigeria’s first dedicated robotics and AI hub, create jobs, enhance the country’s global technology ranking, and improve technological education, thus transforming Nigeria’s tech landscape.

Moreover, the RAIN center offers a 12-month, three-semester in-class intensive course in Robot Development and Automation, as well as in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Participants will learn from esteemed faculty members and utilize an up-to-date curriculum in AI and Robotics.

For more information about the RAIN Hackathon 1.0, please visit https://hackathon.rainigeria.com/

By PRNigeria

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By Aminat Akinyemi

TECHDIGEST – As the year 2022 came to a close, the world was thrown into frenzy after a US based AI firm, OpenAI released a groundbreaking solution called “chatGPT” which could converse, reply text messages sent by humans and answer almost any question as accurately as if it were human itself and all-knowing. This solution even proves to have the capacity to write news articles, public speeches, academic papers, computer codes and can go as far as discussing matters relating to your local traditional recipes.

Today, unlike a decade ago, countries are now competing fiercely towards attaining AI supremacy.

This is not surprising as recent events have proven that AI, Robotics, Blockchain and Cybersecurity have a huge impact on national security, intelligence, healthcare and food security. With fast advances in technology, there is no doubt that the next decade presents an opportunity for countries to redefine their future, improve on the quality of life, healthcare and availability of jobs through the needed up-skilling of their workforce and re-modeling of their industries.

Deviating from an age-long Nigerian tradition of simply waiting to import and consume any latest technology in the world rather than contribute to its development, the nation is lucky to have some leaders that are keeping tabs on global developments and are guarding the coast keenly.

For example, in 2019, a young Nigerian, Olusola Ayoola after bagging his Ph.D in the area of Nuclear Robotics and working extensively with UK’s government decided to return home to establish Nigeria’s first fully functional Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Facility for training, research and product development.

Since its establishment, RAIN has proven to be world class and has even attracted international students and recognitions from the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Ms Amina J. Mohammed, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), USA and Canada missions in Nigeria, as well as First Bank of Nigeria Plc., Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the National institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

READ ALSO: Lawmaker Secures Government Funding for Ibadan AI-Robotics

Some of the groundbreaking research carried out at RAIN include unattended baggage detection, mini weather station, AI based Traffic Light System, a ground robot vehicle and unmanned VTOL aerial vehicle (IMORP), CETHED and RAINSC75/76.

The great feat which RAIN has achieved without any support from Government and this fact only makes one want to ask what an intervention grant will do to the growth of technology in Nigeria.

This must have been the thought of Honorable Oluyemi Adewale Taiwo, a federal lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oyo State when in January 2022 and on the floor of the green hallow chamber, Honorable Oluyemi Taiwo moved a motion for the house to encourage the federal government to liaise and work with RAIN especially during the course of tackling the insecurity. The house unanimously adopted the motion and passed a resolution in support.

Honorable Oluyemi Adewale Taiwo did not stop at that. The pragmatic lawmaker followed this up with the ministry of science, technology and innovation until he successfully got the nod of the ministry to provide such intervention grant.

This is a confirmation of his stewardship to his constituency. However, the nation could do with more of his kind that will direct the federal government’s attention to burgeoning areas within the economy that can help return this nation to the path of greatness. No doubt, with this intervention grant, being well managed by the tested and proven management of the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria board, the nation can only expect to move upwards from this point onward.

The Chief Executive of RAIN, Dr Ayoola has confirmed that there are lofty plans in place including the construction of a Centre for Excellence in Drone and Unmanned Vehicles for Geospatial Intelligence, provision of training scholarships to the youths of Nigeria, particularly those from Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, and the improvement of AI Robotics product prototypes up to the required military standards.

While the efforts of Honorable Oluyemi Adewale Taiwo are not common in this part of the world, it is not unexpected as he was basically doing what a genuine representative of the people will do in order to preserve the indigenous technological firms in his constituency, promote their global advantage and protect the future of the youths in such communities through up-skilling.

Let it be known that when Nigeria becomes a great country, it is the sacrifices of genuinely honourable men like Hon. Oluyemi Taiwo of House of Rep and his supportive colleagues in the National assembly, the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Senator Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora as well as the permanent secretary of the ministry which will be mentioned for praises. Now, let Nigeria’s global competitiveness in AI and Robotics begin.

Aminat Akinyemi writes from Ibadan and can be reach via Aaebunoluwa@gmail.com

The post RAIN and Shaping Nigeria’s AI, Robotics’ Future appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – A federal lawmaker, Oluyemi Taiwo, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State, has secured a federal government intervention fund for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN), a tech firm in Ibadan.

The fund will assist RAIN in becoming a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in robotics, drone technology, and unmanned ground vehicles for geospatial intelligence gathering, Tech Digest gathered.

Chief Executive of RAIN, Dr. Ayoola Ishaq Olusola explained that with the support they have gotten from the FG, their firm will become a Centre of Excellence in drones and unmanned vehicles’ production.

“We will also be providing scholarships to Nigerian youths, particularly those from Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, while upgrading our AI-Robotics’ prototypes.

“While the efforts of Honorable Oluyemi Adewale Taiwo are not common in this part of the world, it is not unexpected as he was basically doing what a genuine representative of the people will do in order to preserve the indigenous technological firms in his constituency, promote their global advantage and protect the future of the youths in such communities through up-skilling.

“Let it be known that when Nigeria becomes a great country, it is the sacrifices of genuinely honourable men like Hon. Oluyemi Taiwo of House of Rep and his supportive colleagues in the National assembly, the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Senator Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora as well as the permanent secretary of the ministry which will be mentioned for praise. Now, let Nigeria’s global competitiveness in AI and Robotics begins.

READ ALSO: NUJ Commends NITDA for Digital Journalism Trainings at State Level

“There is a lot of work in the area of geospatial intelligence gathering that RAIN will be supporting the government on,” Ishaq Olusola said.

The post Lawmaker Secures Government Funding for Ibadan AI-Robotics Firm appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – Imagine being visually impaired and want to withdraw from your pension at the ATM, somewhere in Yaba, Lagos. Believe it or not, this is what 14.3% of the population face daily. It’s no news that the banking system has been unfair to these vulnerable individuals.

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) has come up with a research project that tilts the scales in favour of everyone called Banking Aid for the Visually Impaired – BAVI.

BAVI is a physical confidential authenticator built around single board computing with potential to keep pin, passwords, account access and interactions (touch and audio) fully confidential without visual support.

Unlike the new finger print authentication system that do not require conscious interaction, BAVI retains for the user, the full exclusive right of mental control. The method of entering pin numbers on BAVI is one of its most novel discovery.

Unfortunately, the fate of this RAIN project hangs on getting the One Million Naira win from First Bank of Nigeria Plc in their ongoing Fave Firstclass Material contest in which the RAIN founder, Dr Olusola Ayoola is a contestant.

How to win 1 million naira for the BAVI project to help the blind, Log on to https://instagram.com/firstbanknigeria and scroll to the video showing Dr Olusola Ayoola of RAIN, watch the video and click a Like.

Kindly comment with #1m4BAVI and share with family and friends. Together, let us make the world an inclusive society for all.

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TECH DIGEST – An indigenous Artificial Intelligence firm, Robotic and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) has invented a Carbon Emission Tracker Drone for tracking and detecting hideouts of kidnappers and bandits inside caves, forests and uninhabited spaces in the country.

Apart from the Boko Haram insurgency, Nigeria is currently battling with increasing level of banditry, kidnapping, militancy and other forms of criminality in different States of the six geo-political zones.

In an interview with TechDigest.Ng, Dr  Olusola Ayoola, founder of RAIN said that the Carbon Emission Tracker Drone is a trail blazer in the concept of drone surveillance as it possesses the capability to tackle security challenges facing the country.

“First of all, we must agree that there is a great challenge of security in our part of the world. This insecurity has been narrowed down to difficulty in detecting or accessing hideouts of criminal elements.

“With the use of drone-based aerial surveillance, one could attempt to obtain video feeds from the skies which help track movement or activities of criminals in games reserves.

“But we are not using camera to track bandits. We are using different kind of sensor, the carbon emissions sensor. Bandits cannot escape it”, said Ayoola.

He expressed confidence that if government granted funding support to RAIN, Nigeria’s image would receive a significant boost as a key player in global technology.

Ayoola disclosed that the Carbon Emission Tracker Drone is fully developed but cannot be deployed because only the security agencies hold the right to deploy security related drones across states of the federation.

He, therefore, called on the security agencies to take the necessary action towards conducting test on the innovation for adoption and deployment in their operations against all forms of security threats affecting national peace and stability.

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