Nigeria pushes ‘responsible AI’ revolution to build homegrown tech powerhouse

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Government of Nigeria is ramping up efforts to make artificial intelligence (AI) a cornerstone of national development, with a strong emphasis on responsibility and inclusivity.

In a virtual address at the ongoing InnovateAI Conference in Lagos, NITA Director General Kashifu Inuwa unveiled the National AI Strategy as the blueprint for Nigeria’s shift “from an AI consumer to a builder of indigenous systems.”

He spotlighted the need for adaptive policies, ethical data governance, and local AI infrastructure to ensure technology serves the nation’s unique needs.

Inuwa called for urgent action on several fronts.

“We must invest in retraining AI models with African datasets,” he urged, adding that collaboration with global technology players and bolstering local capacity are essential.

This approach, he said, will make AI systems “reflect national values and drive inclusive digital transformation.”

The announcement comes amid growing excitement at the conference, where tech leaders, policymakers, and innovators are brainstorming ways to harness AI for economic growth in Africa’s most populous nation.