Nigeria's Bold Vision for AI Leadership Unveiled at GITEX Global 2025
Dubai, UAE – Nigeria has formally declared its ambition to spearhead Africa's artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, a vision articulated by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), at the prestigious GITEX Global 2025 event held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 13-17, 2025. Abdullahi emphasized Nigeria's commitment to leveraging AI for sustainable development, positioning the nation as a significant player in the global AI landscape.
A Strategic Roadmap for AI Development
During his address, Abdullahi outlined Nigeria's comprehensive approach to AI, which is guided by a clear national strategy built on five core principles: responsibility, ethics, inclusivity, sustainability, and collaboration. He stated, 'Our vision is clear. We want to harness the transformative power of AI responsibly, ethically, and inclusively, to drive sustainable development through collaboration.' The National AI Strategy focuses on several key objectives:
- Establishing robust infrastructure
- Strengthening the AI ecosystem
- Accelerating AI adoption across vital sectors
- Ensuring ethical governance
- Promoting local innovation
A significant initiative highlighted is the plan to develop an indigenous Large Language Model (LLM) named M-ATLAS. This model aims to capture the nuances, culture, and expressions of Nigeria's over 500 languages, ensuring that AI solutions are culturally relevant and inclusive.
Leading the Way in Generative AI Adoption
Nigeria stands out globally with a remarkable adoption rate of generative AI tools. According to recent data, 70% of Nigeria's online population actively uses generative AI, a figure substantially higher than the global average of 48%. This high rate is largely attributed to the nation's youthful demographic and strategic investments in digital skills. Furthermore, a significant 93% of Nigerian users leverage AI for work-related tasks, including brainstorming, writing, and problem-solving, surpassing the global average of 74%. AI is already transforming various sectors within Nigeria, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance, by improving efficiency and service delivery.
Driving Digital Transformation Through Key Initiatives
To support its ambitious AI agenda, Nigeria has launched several impactful programs aimed at enhancing digital literacy and technical talent. These include the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) program, which targets 95% national digital literacy by 2030, and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, one of the world's largest digital upskilling projects. These initiatives, alongside the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), are designed to equip young Nigerians, researchers, and startups to become creators of AI solutions, rather than just consumers.
Nigeria's proactive stance and high adoption rates underscore its determination to not only participate in but also lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ensuring that Africa plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI.
7 Comments
Karamba
High adoption doesn't mean skilled creation. Are we just consumers?
Rotfront
Ethical AI is a huge challenge globally. How will Nigeria truly enforce it?
KittyKat
Leading the 4IR! This puts Africa firmly on the global tech map, fantastic.
Katchuka
Talk is cheap. We need to see concrete results, not just ambitious targets.
Donatello
Programs like 3MTT are crucial for skill development, but ensuring these newly trained individuals find relevant, high-paying jobs within Nigeria is key to preventing them from seeking opportunities abroad.
Raphael
The ambition to create an indigenous LLM like M-ATLAS is commendable for cultural preservation, yet the cost and complexity of such a project could be immense without sustained investment.
Leonardo
70% adoption is incredible. We're showing the world how it's done!