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The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming global competition, and Nigeria is at a pivotal moment. As other countries advance rapidly, we are faced with a decision: continue as passive users of foreign AI technology or become innovators and exporters of solutions tailored to African needs. The opportunity to lead is available, but it won’t remain so indefinitely.

Three key advancements have come together to present a unique opportunity. Firstly, our regulatory framework is becoming more established. The 2023 Nigeria Data Protection Act provided the essential legal structure for reliable AI development and global digital trade. Secondly, our digital infrastructure is evolving quickly. New submarine cables such as Google’s Equiano and Meta’s 2Africa have significantly boosted bandwidth while lowering expenses. Thirdly, our pool of skilled professionals is growing thanks to programs like the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative, which transitioned from an idea to an implemented project in 2024.

These are not theoretical policy achievements. They represent the foundational elements of AI strength that other countries spent years developing.

Nigeria has distinctive strengths that cannot be measured in currency. With a population of 220 million, we offer the diversity and size that AI systems require to develop and refine their capabilities. Our fintech industry is already functioning on a continental level, offering established distribution networks for AI-powered services. Most significantly, international AI models still face challenges in understanding African languages and cultural nuances, which creates a strong competitive edge for Nigerian developers who are fluent in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Nigerian Pidgin.

Include our diaspora of thousands of engineers based in Silicon Valley, London, and other technology centers, and we gain an underused network of skills and funding ready to be activated.

Instead of attempting to compete in all areas, Nigeria should concentrate on industries where AI can produce quick and visible results. Agriculture holds significant promise. For instance, computer vision can track crop conditions using satellites, and mobile applications can help small-scale farmers identify plant illnesses. Healthcare also provides comparable possibilities, with AI-driven triage systems and medical transcription tools in regional languages enhancing the effectiveness of our overburdened medical professionals.

Another easy success lies in public services. Document processing and citizen support systems enhanced by AI can ease bureaucratic delays and recover lost revenue via improved tax and customs enforcement. At the same time, our creative sectors such as Nollywood and Afrobeats can expand their worldwide influence using AI-driven dubbing and subtitle services tailored for African content.

Achieving success involves going beyond strategic plans and focusing on practical execution. It is essential to establish an “AI Compute Nigeria” initiative that provides affordable access to GPU clusters for startups and researchers. We should develop data trusts tailored to specific sectors, ensuring a balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding privacy in accordance with our updated data regulations. A specialized fund for the development of AI in Nigerian languages could boost advancements in the linguistic domain, where we possess inherent strengths.

Government purchasing should stimulate demand by using outcome-focused contracts for AI technologies in farming, medical care, and government services. The 3MTT initiative should broaden its AI section by establishing well-defined routes from fundamental digital skills to higher-level research abilities. Additionally, we require financial motivators like matching grants, computing credits, and export funding to attract private investment.

Artificial intelligence systems frequently encounter difficulties when implemented in different cultures than those they were originally developed for. Nigeria should implement impact evaluations for high-risk AI deployments, ensure human supervision in crucial areas such as healthcare and the justice system, and create transparent processes for addressing grievances from citizens. These measures are not hindrances to progress. Instead, they serve as competitive benefits that will set Nigerian AI apart as secure and respectful of rights in international markets.

The AI market in Africa is expected to expand rapidly throughout this decade. Nigeria, given its large market, concentration of skilled professionals, and better connectivity, should be providing the models, data sets, and services that drive this expansion, rather than solely relying on imports from Silicon Valley.

The federal ministry has developed a national AI strategy. The more challenging phase now follows: implementation with specific goals, sufficient funding, and transparency to the public. We require leading initiatives, quantifiable results, and the political determination to carry them out.

Nigeria’s future is evident: enable cost-effective computing, responsibly harness our data resources, educate individuals on a massive scale, and acquire AI technologies that provide genuine public benefit. By taking bold action through our legal system, digital infrastructure, and cultural strengths, we will not only engage in the AI revolution but also take the lead, developing solutions for African issues that the global community will seek to purchase.

The issue is not if AI will change Nigeria, but whether Nigeria will contribute to changing AI. The decision, and the chance, lies in our hands to take.

Olowonigba, an engineer working for Intel Corporation, is based in the United States.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).