NITDA: Nigeria taking the driver’s seat in global AI race for innovative future

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, at a recent event in Abuja, avers that Nigeria is not waiting to be carried along in the global AI race, explaining how the West African country is ‘taking the driver’s seat’ in the comity of nations

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In line with the far-reaching impact of technologies in advancing the modern digital economy and improving processes, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has affirmed Nigeria is taking a leading and strategic position in championing the fast-paced global Artificial Intelligence (AI) race.

ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, disclosed this at the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance Stakeholders’ interactive session, in Abuja, FCT.

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Inuwa stated averred that Nigeria is not waiting to be carried along in the global AI race, stating “we are taking the driver’s seat.”

Speaking on a plenary session titled, “Technology, Migration & Trade Representation”, the Director-General of the Information Technology sector regulatory agency also stated that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria’s ambition is to shape the future of AI, not just participate in it.

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The agency, in a statement via its verified social media account, also noted Inuwa highlighted a five-pillar National AI Strategy that puts people first: building sovereign digital infrastructure, empowering startups and women founders, transforming key industries with AI, ensuring ethical adoption, and co-creating strong governance frameworks.

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According to NITDA, from the launch of the country’s National Multilingual Large Language Model, in New York, United States (US), to a bold target of 40 percent women participation in AI initiatives, the country’s message is clear.

It asserted: “Nigeria is building an inclusive, innovative future where technology fuels productivity, jobs, and economic growth.”