Nigeria’s push to become a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is getting a major boost with a new $1.5 million initiative. Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced the initiative during an interview with Arise TV. The fund, which will be launched on October 7th in Abuja, is supported by Luminate, a global foundation committed to empowering people through technology and information.
This new initiative follows closely on the heels of a N100 million AI Fund launched in collaboration with Google. However, that initial fund received criticism from the tech community for being insufficient to power an AI revolution. Responding to this, Tijani explained that the earlier criticism came from a misunderstanding of the broader efforts of the government.
“Our strategy with AI isn’t to limit it to local resources—we are pooling resources together,” he said. The Minister stated that the $1.5 million fund from Luminate is just one of several efforts to secure more resources for AI development.
A Broader Vision for AI in Nigeria
Tijani noted the government’s creation of the National Artificial Intelligence Trust. In collaboration with AI Collaborative, this body will drive growth while ensuring responsible AI practices. One unique aspect of the initiative is its focus on incorporating local languages into AI models.
“The Trust will be a body that ensures AI development in Nigeria is ethical, safe, and sustainable, working alongside the government to drive growth.
“As we build our large language models and digitize our data, we’ll be able to monetize these efforts, with proceeds going back into the Trust to support further AI development,” he said.
Balancing High-Tech and Grassroots Development
When asked about addressing grassroots challenges, Tijani acknowledged that large-scale projects may not be immediately appreciated by the general public but are essential for long-term progress. He pointed to the government’s plan to install 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables across Nigeria, a project that will take several years to complete but is critical to improving digital infrastructure.
“I don’t expect immediate applause, because it will take time. But I can’t ignore such a project just because there’s poverty; in the short to medium term, projects like this will alleviate many issues,” Tijani noted.
In addition to AI initiatives, the government is making strides in employment generation through its 3 Million Technical Talent (3MT) initiative and the 774 Project, aimed at improving grassroots-level service delivery by connecting local government secretariats.
What’s Next for Nigeria’s AI Future?
The new fund and ongoing initiatives signal Nigeria’s commitment to AI innovation. Following a National AI workshop earlier this year, Luminate pledged $1.5 million over the next three years to support Data Science Nigeria, Lagos Business School, and the Center for Journalism, Innovation, and Development. These organizations will focus on governance, research, and innovation in AI.
