Nigeria’s AI Strategy to Drive Advancement & Efficiency

For the purpose of accelerating AI development, productivity, and economic growth across sectors, Nigeria has announced its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy in Lagos.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, made the announcement during Tuesday’s launching and inauguration in Lagos of the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Collective Industry (NAICI).

According to Tijani, stakeholders from the government, academia, and business collaborated to produce the plan.

He also added that the government had implemented tangible actions to encourage AI development, including sponsoring research initiatives and developing collaborations with private sector organizations.

In order to promote strategy execution and guarantee that safety and ethics continue to be at the forefront of AI deployment in Nigeria, the Nigerian Artificial Intelligence Collective is a community of practice.

The government, academic institutions, and business sectors worked together to design the National AI Strategy.

Nigeria has gained international prominence for its distinctive approach to developing AI strategies. 

According to Tijani, the government’s methodology entails locating and interacting with Nigerian AI researchers and specialists both domestically and abroad in order to create a complete plan that takes into account the unique requirements and difficulties of the country.

He said that in order to facilitate the industry’s expansion, the government is already providing financing for research and collaborating with private sector entities.

According to Tijani, Nigeria is using innovation and strategic advantages to establish itself as the AI center of West Africa and a role model for the continent’s economic development.

Nigeria is establishing itself as a centre for AI in West Africa because of its creative thinking and dedication to AI development.

In order to create a complete plan that takes into account the unique requirements and difficulties of the country, he stated that the government’s approach entails locating and interacting with Nigerian researchers and AI specialists both domestically and abroad.

The nation is a desirable site for AI investment and innovation due to its advantageous geographic position, sizable population, and expanding economy.  

“Nigeria’s AI strategy will contribute to the economic development of the continent and serve as a model for other African countries,” he continued.

Tijani also emphasized how crucial it is to get stakeholders together in order to fully utilize AI.

The minister went on to say that Nigeria’s AI policy will help the continent’s economy grow and serve as an example for other African nations.

“Therefore, our challenge is that AI will further widen the productivity gaps and disparities between countries.”

Despite the advancements, he cautioned that Nigeria is still “slightly behind” in the world’s AI development and called for cooperation to bridge the gap.

The AI Collective’s operational emphasis, which encompasses research, sector-specific innovation, policy, and international involvement, was broken down by Dr. Olubayo Akanmbi, CEO of Data Science Nigeria (DSN). 

In order to promote AI adoption and sector change, the AI Collective will also give sectoral networks a platform.

“In a variety of sectors, such as telecoms, the creative economy, real estate, government, health, agriculture, financial inclusion, and fintech, industry stakeholders are encouraged to volunteer as champions,” he stated.

According to Akanmbi, the AI strategy would provide industry participants a forum to work together on creative ideas, rally support for fledgling businesses, and establish sectoral networks to advance use cases relevant to a certain discipline.

In order to guarantee the moral and responsible application of AI, he continued, the project would also concentrate on policy advocacy.

According to Akambi, “the AI Collective will also give sectoral networks a platform to drive AI adoption and sector transformation.”

Additionally, he announced the opening of Diaspora Connect, a new network that would allow Nigerians living outside to support the nation’s AI growth.

The Lagos Business School’s dean of information systems, Dr. Olayinka David-West, described the strategic goal of Nigeria’s AI initiative and also emphasized the necessity of a framework to direct the nation’s AI development efforts.

The goal of Nigeria’s AI strategy is to promote sustainability and economic progress by utilizing technological innovation, local talent, and strategic cooperation.

David-West claims that the approach is based on five main pillars: responsible AI development, infrastructure development, a strong government framework, adoption of AI across industries, and the creation of a world-class AI ecosystem.

“With 12 goals and 34 initiatives aimed at attaining economic growth, social development, and technological advancement, the strategy is bold and audacious,” she continued.

In order to guarantee that no Nigerian is left behind in the process, the dean emphasized the significance of governance and responsible AI development.

According to David-West, the AI Strategy is organized around five pillars:

Development of infrastructure

Creating a top-tier AI environment

Adoption of AI across the sector

Use of AI responsibly

A strong basis for governance