Nigeria to launch $1.5m initiative to boost AI development

• Published On: 03 October 2024 at 18:18

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has announced plans for a new $1.5 million initiative to advance artificial intelligence in the country.

The announcement was made during an interview with Arise TV following his attendance at the recent United Nations General Assembly.

The initiative, which is supported by Luminate, a global foundation dedicated to improving access to information and rights, will be launched on October 7 in Abuja. This funding comes shortly after the Ministry established a N100 million AI fund in collaboration with Google, which was criticised by the tech community as insufficient to drive significant AI advancements.

Tijani responded to the criticism by clarifying that the feedback about the N100 million fund was the result of a misunderstanding. He emphasised that the government's strategy calls for pooling resources rather than relying solely on local funding. "On October 7th in Abuja, we are launching an additional $1.5 million in support from Luminate," he told us.

Tijani also announced the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Trust, which was created in collaboration with AI Collaborative. This initiative aims to promote the use of local languages in AI development while also ensuring that Nigeria's AI advancements are ethical, safe, and sustainable. "As we develop our large language models and digitise data, we will monetise these efforts, with proceeds reinvested into the Trust to further support AI development," he told me.

When asked about the balance of high-level technology initiatives and grassroots challenges, Tijani admitted that large-scale projects may not receive immediate recognition or understanding. However, he emphasised the long-term advantages of such initiatives, particularly in infrastructure development.

He cited the government's ongoing project to install 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables throughout Nigeria. While the project will take 18 months to secure the necessary $2 billion funding and another 2-3 years for full implementation, Tijani believes it is critical to the country's future.

"I don't expect immediate applause, as progress takes time," he said, adding that these projects will eventually help alleviate many pressing issues.

The Minister also mentioned the government's 3 Million Technical Talent initiative, which is providing job opportunities for many Nigerians, particularly those trained through its programs. Furthermore, the government's 774 Project aims to connect local government secretariats to improve grassroots service delivery.

Tijani announced the formation of AI Collective, a community dedicated to fostering an inclusive AI ecosystem in Nigeria. Following that, Luminate pledged $1.5 million over three years to support the work of the three organisations that manage the AI Collective: Data Science Nigeria, Lagos Business School, and the Centre for Journalism, Innovation, and Development. This funding will help civil society, academia, and the technology sector work together to improve AI governance, research, and innovation.

The AI Collective is run by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, demonstrating Nigeria's commitment to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence for national development.