Nigeria is not just embracing artificial intelligence (AI) but deliberately positioning itself to become a global influencer in its development, deployment, and governance, according to the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa.
Speaking during a plenary session themed “Technology, Migration & Trade Representation” at the Stakeholders’ Interactive Engagement with the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, held at the State House in Abuja, Inuwa reaffirmed that Nigeria’s drive toward technological leadership is deeply anchored in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places strong emphasis on economic diversification and inclusivity, with priority number seven focusing on accelerating industrialization, digitalization, creative industries, manufacturing, and innovation,” he stated.
According to the NITDA boss, this vision forms the foundation of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy’s strategic roadmap, which continues to guide NITDA’s initiatives toward transforming Nigeria into a digital powerhouse in Africa.
At the core of this transformation, Inuwa emphasized, lies the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a framework that defines Nigeria’s pathway to technological advancement. He identified the first key priority as building the foundational infrastructure needed for meaningful participation in the global AI revolution.
“This involves expanding connectivity, developing sovereign cloud platforms, and building clean and representative national datasets,” he explained.
Inuwa noted that these deliberate steps will enable Nigeria not only to leverage AI for national development but also to contribute to shaping global standards and ethical frameworks in the emerging digital economy.
He highlighted the launch of the National Multilingual Large Language Model in New York as a major milestone in that journey.
“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 said.
The NITDA DG also underscored the importance of nurturing a vibrant innovation ecosystem, empowered by the Nigerian Startup Act, which provides a legal and institutional framework for sustainable growth.
“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 prioritizing inclusivity and giving women founders the space to thrive,” he added.
On sectoral transformation, Inuwa explained that AI is being integrated across key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and education, with the goal of radically boosting productivity. He stressed that AI is not a threat to human jobs but a tool to amplify human potential.
“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,” he stated.
Inuwa also cautioned that technology must be designed with inclusivity at its heart to avoid leaving vulnerable groups behind.
“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,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of strong governance and regulation, noting that Nigeria is co-creating its AI governance framework with stakeholders to ensure both innovation and 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,” Inuwa affirmed.
With this bold vision, the NITDA Director General declared that Nigeria is sending a clear message to the world: it is not waiting to be carried along in the AI revolution but is actively building the future and inviting others to innovate alongside it.
“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,” he emphasized.