New Techs: Nigeria as a key player sets agenda to shape future of AI —Inuwa

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, reiterates Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a key shaper in the global Artificial Intelligence ecosystem

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In line with the West African country’s strategic roadmap for emerging technologies, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has restated Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a key shaper in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem.

ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, who noted this while speaking at a Stakeholders’ Interactive engagement with the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, in the State House, in Abuja, FCT, said the country’s efforts were deeply anchored on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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Inuwa, at the plenary session with the theme: “Technology, Migration & Trade Representation”, outlined Nigeria’s strategic roadmap for emerging technologies, in including AI.

He also highlighted how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has placed strong emphasis on economic diversification and inclusivity, with priority number seven, focusing on accelerating industrialisation, digitalisation, creative industries, manufacturing, and innovation.

The Director-General of NITDA disclosed the President’s vision has informed the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy’s roadmap, and this has, in turn, guided NITDA’s ongoing initiatives to transform Nigeria into a digital powerhouse on the African continent.

At the heart of this ambition, he further said, is Nigeria’s National AI Strategy (NAIS), which outlines a clear pathway for the country’s technological future.

He described the first priority as building foundational infrastructure that would allow Nigeria to play a meaningful role in the AI journey.

According to him, this involved expanding connectivity, developing sovereign cloud platforms, and building clean and representative national datasets.

He noted the launch of the National Multilingual Large Language Model in New York as a major milestone.

Hajia Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA, also stated Inuwa said: “For us, it is important that our languages, our culture, and our people are represented in the AI of the future.

“That is why we built Nigeria’s own multilingual large language model — to ensure that technology reflects our identity and diversity.”

He as well emphasised the importance of nurturing the ecosystem by empowering startups and innovators, anchored by the Nigerian Startup Act which provides a legal and institutional framework for growth.

Inuwa stated: “Innovation does not happen in isolation. You need an ecosystem that connects government, innovators, investors, and global partners.

“Through our startup policies, we are not just encouraging entrepreneurship; we are deliberately prioritising inclusivity and giving women founders the space to thrive.”

On sectoral transformation, he explained that AI was being integrated into key industries such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and education to radically boost productivity, adding that AI would not replace humans; rather, it would enhance human endeavor.

The NITDA Chief explained: “With AI, we can achieve ten times the productivity we are seeing today. Imagine what it means when our doctors can diagnose faster, our farmers can predict yields better, and our manufacturers can cut inefficiencies. That is the kind of leap Nigeria is preparing for.”

The Director-General observed that if technology was not designed with inclusivity in mind, vulnerable groups could be left behind in the space.

He averred: “If you are digitally invisible, AI will not consider you in its decision-making. That is why inclusivity is not optional — it is central.

“In every one of our initiatives, we insist on at least 40 percent women representation, because we cannot build a future that excludes half of our population.”

Stressing the importance of strong governance and regulation, Inuwa said Nigeria was co-creating its AI governance framework with the ecosystem to ensure sustainability.

“We cannot build this future in silos. We are working hand in hand with innovators, industry leaders, and the global community to create policies that safeguard innovation while protecting citizens.

“This is how Nigeria will lead responsibly,” he assured stakeholders.

According to him, in regard to this bold vision, Nigeria is sending a clear message to the global world, that the country is not waiting to be carried along in the AI revolution but was building the future and inviting others to innovate alongside it.

Inuwa asserted: “Our journey is not just about technology, it is about people, prosperity, and positioning Nigeria as a global leader in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.”

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