From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has revealed plans to position Nigeria as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation following high-level discussions with Google CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris.
The talks, he said via his verified X-handle @officialABAT, focused on a potential partnership aimed at advancing Nigeria’s tech ecosystem through investments in scalable cloud infrastructure, workforce skill development, AI research, cloud adoption, and establishing the country as a hub for innovation.
Speaking on the collaboration, President Tinubu stated: “Nigeria is poised to take the lead in AI and technology—this is merely the start of an exciting journey!”
The President highlighted Nigeria’s existing strides in AI, including ongoing collaborations with local tech firms like Awarri Technologies. These efforts aim to develop critical AI software infrastructure tailored to Nigeria’s unique cultural, linguistic, and societal needs. This includes creating data capture platforms and large language models (LLMs) for Nigerian languages in partnership with the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR).
“This partnership conversation with Google aligns seamlessly with our Renewed Hope Agenda,” Tinubu said, emphasising his administration’s focus on economic diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, and innovation. “This will empower businesses, create new opportunities, and establish Nigeria as a significant player in the global digital economy.”
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will oversee the initiative, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will spearhead its implementation.
With these steps, Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future in technology: “We are exploring partnership opportunities with Google that will elevate Nigeria’s standing in the global tech landscape as a hub for innovation and AI transition.”
His post read thus:
“I enjoyed engaging in crucial discussions about advancing Nigeria’s role in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation with you in Paris, Sundar @sundarpichai.
“We are also exploring partnership opportunities with Google, which will focus on five key areas: enhancing scalable cloud infrastructure, equipping our workforce with essential skills for the future, promoting AI innovation and research, driving cloud adoption, and elevating Nigeria’s standing in the global tech landscape as a hub for innovation and AI transition.
“It is worth noting that Nigeria already has some bright prospects in the AI space, including the likes of Awarri Technologies @awarritech, with whom the Federal Government is currently collaborating to build critical AI software infrastructure to meet the needs of the local market unique to our arts and culture, languages, and society, amongst others, which have mostly been put on the backburner by current existing models. This includes data capture platforms and an LLM for Nigerian languages in partnership with our National Centre for AI and Robotics @NCAIRNigeria.
“This partnership conversation with Google aligns seamlessly with our Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises economic diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, and innovation. This will empower businesses, create new opportunities, and establish Nigeria as a significant player in the global digital economy.
“The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy @FMCIDENigeria will provide strategic oversight, while NITDA @NITDANigeria will spearhead the implementation.
“Nigeria is poised to take the lead in AI and technology—this is merely the start of an exciting journey!
#NigeriaRising”
