Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty Nigeria, has emphasized the need for the ethical development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the expansion of Data Centers as critical steps towards achieving Nigeria’s digital economy goals. He made this statement during a courtesy visit from the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), following their ICT Growth Conference, which focused on AI’s impact on national development.
During the visit, Nnamani pointed out the growing disparity between those creating ethical AI solutions and those focused solely on profit. “There are fewer people developing AI ethically compared to those producing non-ethical solutions, driven by monetary gain,” he noted. He explained that this is not a challenge unique to Nigeria but a global issue, with developed countries like the U.S. making efforts to regulate AI for safety and best practices. “Governments worldwide are working to ensure AI is used responsibly and ethically,” Nnamani said, adding that Nigeria must also adopt similar approaches.
On AI regulation, Nnamani praised Nigerian regulators for their ongoing efforts, describing it as a work in progress. He explained that Nigeria’s relatively slow AI adoption presents an opportunity for policymakers to consider potential risks and implement preventive measures. “Our government is starting to ask critical questions, ensuring that any AI applications are being run ethically to prevent harm,” he said.
Addressing concerns about AI leading to job losses, Nnamani argued that the technology would instead lead to upskilling opportunities for Nigerians. “AI isn’t taking jobs away; it’s about retraining people to use AI for better efficiency and cost-effectiveness,” he said.
Shifting focus to the state of Data Centers in Nigeria, Nnamani expressed concern over the insufficient capacity to meet the country’s growing digital needs. “Given the size of our economy, population, and GDP, Nigeria should have at least 600 megawatts of IT load, but we currently only have around 30 megawatts,” he stated. He stressed the importance of expanding Data Center infrastructure to support Nigeria’s digital economy, drawing a comparison to cities like Toronto, which has over 30 Data Centers in operation. “We’ve only scratched the surface of what needs to be done for Nigeria to truly become a digital economy,” Nnamani added.
He further highlighted the need for more private sector investment and government support to scale Data Center operations across the country. “Regulation should not just be about generating income for regulators but should focus on fostering growth in this industry. We have supportive regulators, but much more is required,” Nnamani explained.
However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges such as power supply and foreign exchange (FOREX) instability, which continue to hinder the growth of Data Centers in Nigeria. “Doing business in Nigeria is tough, and FOREX instability is a major hurdle. Even when businesses have access to FOREX, its volatility makes it difficult to plan long-term. Power is another challenge—businesses pay for it, but often don’t get reliable service,” Nnamani remarked.
The NITRA ICT Growth Conference, where Nnamani shared his views, brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of AI and its role in Nigeria’s development, highlighting both the prospects and challenges ahead.
