To facilitate significant technological and economic advancements, the Nigerian Federal Government has set a remarkable target of producing approximately 50,000 job opportunities through Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2030. This audacious ambition was disclosed by Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as he introduced the ministry’s extensive strategy for the upcoming four years.
This visionary plan, which spans 31 pages under the title ‘Accelerating Our Collective Prosperity Through Technical Efficiency,’ draws inspiration from influential reports authored by PwC, McKinsey Global Institute, and Accenture. Dr. Tijani maintains that AI is set to inaugurate a new era characterized by technological and economic metamorphosis within the next two decades.
Acknowledging the pressing need for Nigeria, as an emerging economy, to prudently and inclusively harness AI’s potential, Minister Tijani underscores the necessity for an extensive national strategy. This strategy is designed to enhance Nigeria’s standing as a top global hub for AI model training and talent and to assert the nation’s leadership in promoting inclusiveness in AI datasets on a worldwide scale.
The comprehensive plan articulates precise objectives. Nigeria aspires to enhance its global ranking in AI preparedness and adoption, gauged across several pivotal metrics, including computational capabilities, proficiency, data accessibility, ethics, and governance. The ultimate aim is to attain a top-50 ranking by the year 2030.
Five pillars: the strategy’s underpinnings
The blueprint revolves around five crucial pillars, each being an indispensable component of the ministry’s mission and interlinked with the others:
- Knowledge: Knowledge is the foundation of innovation, underpinned by sound policies.
- Policy: Sound policies provide the requisite framework for developing AI in Nigeria.
- Infrastructure: A robust digital infrastructure is an essential backbone for a thriving digital economy.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: These facets drive economic diversification, fostering innovation and job creation.
- Trade: Nigeria is steadfast in its commitment to global collaboration and partnerships, recognizing that innovation transcends geographical boundaries.
Challenges and adaptation
Minister Tijani concedes that the path ahead may present obstacles but emphasizes that it is through overcoming these challenges that progress is made. The government remains steadfast in its sense of purpose. It aims to harness the potency of technology to elevate Nigeria’s global standing, establish sustainable employment opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for all Nigerians.
In August, Minister Tijani issued a call for applications from researchers of Nigerian descent across the globe to contribute to the formulation of Nigeria’s National AI Strategy. This call to action is grounded in a PwC report, which forecasts that AI could inject up to $15.7 trillion into the global economy by 2030. Of this total, $3 trillion is expected to result from heightened productivity, while $9.1 trillion would be derived from novel products and services.
A vision for Nigeria’s AI future
The Nigerian Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious vision for the future: AI plays a pivotal role in propelling economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness. Nigeria is positioning itself as a global leader in this arena with a well-defined strategy and a commitment to harnessing AI responsibly and inclusively. While challenges may surface, as Minister Tijani reiterates, it is through surmounting these challenges that Nigeria will evolve and adapt, fully harnessing the potential of technology for the betterment of all its citizens.
