FG launches AI strategy to drive economic growth

The federal government has unveiled a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy to spur economic growth.

According to NAN, Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, announced the strategy on Tuesday at the launch of the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Collective Industry (NAICI) in Lagos.

Tijani said the strategy was developed in partnership with stakeholders across government, academia and the industry.

He also said that the government has taken concrete steps to support AI development, including funding research projects and establishing partnerships with private sector companies.

“The country’s model involves identifying and engaging with Nigerian researchers and experts in AI, both locally and internationally, to develop a comprehensive strategy that addresses the nation’s specific needs and challenges,” he said.

The minister added that Nigeria’s AI strategy will serve as a model for other African countries and contribute to the continent’s economic development.

Speaking at the event, Olubayo Akanmbi, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Data Science Nigeria (DSN), outlined the key areas of focus for the AI collective, including research and development, sector-specific innovation, policy advocacy, and international collaboration.

Akanmbi explained that the AI strategy will provide a platform for industry players to collaborate on innovative solutions, mobilise support for young startups, and create sectoral networks to drive domain-specific use cases.

He added that the initiative will also focus on policy advocacy to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI.

“The AI Collective will also provide a platform for sectoral networks to drive AI adoption and sector transformation,” Akambi said.

Also, Olayinka David-West, dean of information systems at Lagos Business School, highlighted the need for a framework to guide the country’s approach to AI development.

According to David-West, the strategy is built around five key pillars: infrastructure development, building a world-class AI ecosystem, AI adoption across sectors, responsible AI development, and a robust government framework.

The dean emphasised the importance of governance and responsible AI development in ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the process.