Minister Tijani unveils ambitious AI strategy to drive national development

By Blessing Emmanuel, Abuja

In a visionary move aimed at harnessing the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Nigeria has launched an ambitious strategy under the leadership of Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. This strategic initiative, conceived at the beginning of Minister Tijani’s term in office, seeks to define and outline a comprehensive AI strategy for Nigeria, positioning the country at the forefront of technological innovation in Africa.

According to the Minister, the core objective of this strategy is to coordinate and harness the power of AI for national development, with a focus on accelerating productivity and addressing some of the most pressing challenges in key sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, and more.

By leveraging AI technologies, Nigeria aims to unlock new opportunities for growth, efficiency, and innovation across various industries, ultimately driving sustainable development and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

Recognising the significant talent pool of Nigerian descent working in the field of AI globally, the government has taken proactive steps to engage leading researchers and entrepreneurs in various initiatives.

Projects such as the newly launched National Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme (NAIRS) and the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technology Application (4IRTA) project have served as platforms for collaboration, facilitating the integration of AI solutions into everyday life in Nigeria.

As a continuation of these efforts, Nigeria is set to host the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Workshop in Abuja from April 15th to 18th, 2024. Supported by @luminategroup and other partner organisations, the workshop will bring together 120 of Nigeria’s top researchers and startups in AI to co-create a framework for a multi-year strategy and action plan.

This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the strategy reflects the diverse perspectives and expertise of the Nigerian AI community, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to its successful implementation.

Minister Bosun Tijani expressed his confidence in the workshop’s outcomes, stating, “It is my belief that the resulting strategy will help us deliver the priorities and implementation approach towards improving lives and growing our economy through the application of AI.”He emphasised that the workshop represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards embracing AI as a driver of economic growth and social progress.

The Nigerian government is committed to sharing further details about the AI strategy in the coming days, underscoring its commitment to leveraging technology to address the country’s development challenges and propel Nigeria into a prosperous future driven by innovation and excellence.