Nigeria has declared its determination to take a leading role in shaping the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, as the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, reaffirmed the nation’s strategic focus on AI-driven growth anchored in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during a plenary session on “Technology, Migration & Trade Representation” at the Stakeholders’ Interactive Engagement with the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, held at the State House, Abuja, Inuwa outlined Nigeria’s roadmap for emerging technologies and digital transformation.
He noted that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda emphasizes economic diversification and inclusivity, with a particular focus on accelerating industrialization, digitalization, creative industries, manufacturing, and innovation, a vision that has guided the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and NITDA’s programs.
At the center of Nigeria’s digital ambition is the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a blueprint designed to position the country as a key player in the global AI ecosystem. Inuwa explained that the first priority is to build the necessary infrastructure, expanding broadband access, developing sovereign cloud platforms, and creating clean, representative national datasets.
Highlighting a recent milestone, he referenced the launch of Nigeria’s National Multilingual Large Language Model in New York, designed to ensure that Nigeria’s languages and culture are represented in future AI systems. “Technology must reflect our identity and diversity. Our multilingual language model ensures that AI includes the voices and perspectives of our people,” he said.
Inuwa also emphasized the importance of developing a robust innovation ecosystem underpinned by the Nigerian Startup Act, which provides a legal framework to support startups, foster investment, and prioritize inclusivity. “Innovation thrives in a connected ecosystem. Through our policies, we’re not only enabling entrepreneurs but deliberately ensuring women have equal opportunities to lead and build,” he added.
According to him, AI integration across key sectors, health, agriculture, manufacturing, and education, will transform productivity. “With AI, we can achieve tenfold increases in efficiency. From faster medical diagnoses to predictive farming and streamlined manufacturing, Nigeria is preparing for a new era of productivity,” Inuwa stated.
He further stressed the need for inclusivity in technological design. “If vulnerable groups remain digitally invisible, AI will exclude them. That’s why every program we design ensures at least 40 percent representation for women, inclusivity is not optional,” he said.
Inuwa also highlighted Nigeria’s approach to responsible AI through co-created governance frameworks developed in collaboration with innovators, industry leaders, and global partners. “We are building policies that safeguard innovation while protecting citizens. This collaborative model ensures sustainability and trust,” he explained.
He concluded with a bold message: Nigeria is not waiting to catch up in the AI revolution, it is actively building the future and inviting global partners to innovate alongside. “Our journey is about people, prosperity, and positioning Nigeria as a global leader in artificial intelligence,” Inuwa affirmed.
