“We can use AI to leapfrog traditional development challenges,”- Minister Bosun Tijani at GIAA Conference

At the Global Inclusivity and AI: Africa (GIAA) Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, on September 10, 2024, the country’s Communications Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani, outlined an ambitious roadmap for AI development that could position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.

In his opening remarks, Dr Tijani emphasised that artificial intelligence presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to “leapfrog traditional development challenges.” One of the cornerstones of this strategy is the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), which is currently in progress. 

Dr Tijani revealed that the Ministry has engaged ICT Directors across all government entities to provide feedback on the strategy, demonstrating the government’s commitment to ensuring a wide-ranging, inclusive approach.

The military is also involved in shaping the policy, further emphasising the strategic importance of AI.

Another critical initiative is the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Act, which has passed its First Reading in Nigeria’s legislative houses. This Bill is set to further solidify Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, with backing from the World Bank, marking an important milestone in Nigeria’s digital future.

Dr. Tijani announced that Africa’s first multi-lingual AI model is currently under development. This initiative will be a crucial step towards making AI accessible across Africa’s diverse linguistic landscape. 

Still speaking, the Minister revealed the establishment of a ₦100M fund to support Nigerian startups in the AI sector. This move is expected to spark innovation and drive the growth of local AI talent.

The Minister also highlighted the success of the Artificial Intelligence Collective, which has already funded 45 AI research projects. 

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, concerns about its governance and ethical use are at the forefront of discussions.

GIAA Conference panel on AI regulation

During the GIAA Conference, a key panel titled “AI Governance, Strategies and Policies for Responsible Innovation” tackled this issue, emphasising the need for balanced regulation and the importance of self-regulation by organisations.

Olatunbosun Alake, Lagos Commissioner for Science, Innovation, and Technology, who also attended the GIAA Conference and was a a panelist, noted that the availability of data remains a challenge for AI developers in Nigeria. 

“Whatever AI modules you are building, you need data,” he stated, stressing that data is fundamental for effective AI systems.

Alake advocated for self-regulation, suggesting that companies should take the initiative to regulate themselves to reduce the need for heavy government oversight. 

“Organisations should self-regulate so there will be less regulation from the government,” he said, signalling Lagos’ commitment to supporting innovation while ensuring that ethical concerns are addressed.

This sentiment was echoed by Lauren Baker, Deputy Director, Office of Digital & Emerging Technology Services, ITA/Commerce, who emphasised the need for pragmatic approaches to AI governance. 

She referenced a recent U.S. Presidential Executive Order on AI, stressing that any policy or framework that fails to be useful and actionable is not achieving its goals. 

“If it is not useful (to the most common person), then we are not achieving our goals,” she said.

On the same panel, Lola Adekanye, Country Manager at the Center for International Private Enterprise, added that the private sector must take a leading role in promoting values such as fairness and inclusivity. 

“The private sector should champion values – fairness and inclusivity,” she noted, stressing the need for ethical self-regulation as a cornerstone of responsible AI innovation.

On the sidelines of the GIAA Conference, Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), emphasised that the agency is the primary partner of all these engagements, saying there have been talks with the US Consul General office in Lagos for almost two years. 

“We have been working together to see how we can orchestrate our digital transformation in Nigeria. Also, how we can build better cooperation between the US and Nigeria.” 

He added: “When you talk about IT, no one can build in isolation. We have our strengths and weaknesses, likewise the US. We can learn from our experiences.” 

The DG said the GIAA Conference was birthed from all those talks as “we needed to move from talks to action and implementation.” 

The GIAA conference was organised to advance the US Digital Transformation with Africa initiative, which promotes increased digital access and literacy across the continent.