Harnessing the Power of AI: Building a Collaborative and Innovative Ecosystem for Nigeria’s Future

By Akintunde Babatunde

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept, it is a transformative force redefining industries, reshaping economies, and influencing global governance.

However, as Nigeria stands at the threshold of this A-I revolution, the challenge is not just adopting the technology but creating a framework that ensures its responsible and inclusive use.

This was the focal point of the closing plenary session moderated by Mr. Akintunde Babatunde during the CJID’s 2024 AI and Media Summit, where we explored how Nigeria can build a sustainable AI ecosystem rooted in collaboration, innovation, and ethics.

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The session brought together some of Nigeria’s foremost experts and practitioners in AI: Dr. Yetunde Anibaba (Lagos Business School), Dr. Yetunde Omotubora (University of Lagos), Nkem Agunwa (Witness), and Temitope Ajakore (GIZ). Each brought unique perspectives shaped by their work in academia, policy, human rights, and capacity building, presenting a rich tapestry of ideas that could guide Nigeria’s AI journey.

Dr. Yetunde Anibaba highlighted the work of Lagos Business School within the Nigeria AI Collective, emphasizing the institution’s role in fostering cutting-edge research and developing talent that can anchor Nigeria’s AI-driven future. She stressed the urgency of increased investments in AI research and infrastructure to ensure the technology becomes a mainstream catalyst for national progress.

Dr. Yetunde Omotubora talked about her UNESCO work on AI readiness assessment methodology, which evaluates Nigeria’s preparedness for A I adoption across sectors. She also outlined key initiatives at the University of Lagos, such as the AI Learning Hub, designed to equip students with skills to thrive in the AI-driven workforce. Her insights demonstrated the critical role of academia in building Nigeria’s AI capacity.

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From the perspective of policy and implementation, Temitope Ajakore shed light on GIZ’s Digital Transformation Centre, which is supporting Nigerian policymakers in pilot states by building AI literacy and competencies. These efforts aim to prepare government leaders for the challenges and opportunities that AI presents, ensuring that Nigeria’s AI governance is both proactive and inclusive.

Adding a human rights dimension, Nkem Agunwa spoke about the need for ethical AI deployment that safeguards against exacerbating existing inequalities or creating new forms of injustice. She underscored the importance of embedding accountability and transparency into Nigeria’s AI governance framework to ensure the technology is not just innovative but also equitable and fair.

A recurring theme during the discussion was the recognition that AI systems, while powerful, are not without risks. They inherit biases from their training data, which can skew decision-making in critical sectors like healthcare, finance, and law enforcement. Addressing these biases requires vigilance, cross-sector collaboration, and a commitment to building AI systems that reflect our collective values and priorities.

This session was more than a discussion – it was a call to action. It provided a roadmap for leveraging A-I as a tool for innovation and progress while emphasizing the ethical guardrails needed to ensure it serves all Nigerians equitably. As a nation, we must recognize that building an inclusive and innovative A-I ecosystem is not a choice but an imperative if we are to compete in the global digital economy.

The insights from this session are currently being synthesized and will soon be published on CJID’s official platforms. A recording of the session will also be made available to enable broader access and engagement.

Artificial Intelligence presents Nigeria with a generational opportunity to leapfrog developmental hurdles and drive inclusive growth. But harnessing this potential requires intentionality, collaboration, and bold investments in both people and systems.

Together, we are shaping the narrative where AI becomes not just a tool for progress but a force for good.