The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has called for urgent policy measures to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria. The company warned that the country risks missing out on Africa’s projected $1.2 trillion share of the global AI economy by 2030.
NIGCOMSAT’s Managing Director, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, made the call in a statement issued on Friday after her participation in the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in Makurdi, Benue State. The meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and had the theme “Accelerating the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence through Policy and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”
Egerton-Idehen stated, “Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections that it will contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Africa stands to gain $1.2 trillion of this if the right policies and innovations are in place,” citing a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The NIGCOMSAT Managing Director also highlighted the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, particularly in Benue State, which is widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket.” She noted that machine learning tools could revolutionise agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimising planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly,” she said.
Egerton-Idehen pointed out that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria, with only 45.5 percent of Nigerians having internet access as of early 2024. She emphasised, “For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority.”
She stressed the importance of a coordinated effort to expand access to digital infrastructure while enforcing relevant policies to support AI development in the country.
Reflecting on the discussions at the meeting, Egerton-Idehen expressed both optimism and urgency, noting the rapid pace of AI advancements worldwide. “AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance,” she said.
In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, with the goal of positioning Nigeria as a global leader in AI.
