Nigeria’s National AI Strategy 2024: Paving the Way for Responsible AI Governance

Introduction

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes global economies, Nigeria is seizing the moment with the introduction of the National AI Strategy (NAIS) 2024. This strategy aims to harness AI’s potential to address Nigeria’s socioeconomic challenges, foster sustainable growth, and establish Nigeria as a global AI leader. With a clear focus on responsible, ethical, and inclusive AI innovation, NAIS outlines a comprehensive roadmap, positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global AI landscape.

Why Nigeria Needs an AI Strategy

The NAIS 2024 directly addresses Nigeria’s unique challenges and opportunities, pushing for an AI strategy that serves local needs. By developing this plan, Nigeria seeks to tackle critical socioeconomic issues, boost economic growth, and support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With its youthful population, vibrant tech scene, and a thriving startup ecosystem, Nigeria stands poised to leverage AI for impactful, locally relevant solutions.

Key Elements of the Strategy

The NAIS recognizes current AI efforts within Nigeria, such as the establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and initiatives like the 3MTT talent program. Research grants, offered through the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme (NAIRS), further illustrate the country’s commitment to nurturing its AI ecosystem. These efforts are just the beginning, however. The strategy builds on these foundations, aiming to position Nigeria as a significant AI contributor regionally and globally.

Strategic Objectives

NAIS outlines three primary objectives, each aiming to shape a sustainable AI future for Nigeria:

1. Economic Growth and Competitiveness: By integrating AI across industries, the strategy aims to enhance productivity and drive growth. Creating high-quality jobs within the AI sector is central to this objective, aiming for an AI-driven economy where competitiveness thrives.
2. Social Development and Inclusion: AI has the potential to revolutionize public services such as healthcare and education. By applying AI to these critical areas, Nigeria hopes to bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access and promoting inclusive growth.
3. Technological Advancement and Leadership: The strategy emphasizes R&D, positioning Nigeria as a regional and global leader in AI. Importantly, this objective includes a focus on ethical and responsible AI practices, which will be vital to long-term trust and sustainability.

The Five Pillars of Nigeria’s AI Strategy

To accomplish its objectives, NAIS is built on five strategic pillars:

1. Foundational AI Infrastructure: Establishing foundational infrastructure, including affordable high-performance computing resources, is critical. The strategy encourages the development of AI hardware and software tools domestically, reducing reliance on foreign technology and fostering a self-sustaining AI ecosystem.

Support the development of AI hardware (e.g. specialised chips) and software tools, with a preference for domestically produced solutions, thereby reducing the dependence on foreign technology and creating a self-sustaining AI ecosystem. — The National AI Strategy 2024

1. Building and Sustaining a World-Class AI Ecosystem: The government plans to attract investments and form sustainable partnerships, cultivating an environment where AI startups and businesses can thrive. Talent development is a key element here, ensuring that skilled professionals are available to fuel the ecosystem.
2. Accelerating AI Adoption Across Sectors: The strategy encourages the integration of AI in agriculture, healthcare, finance, and more, highlighting AI's potential to drive sectoral transformation and improve data-driven decision-making. This approach emphasizes AI's potential impact on the Nigerian economy and society as a whole.
3. Ensuring Responsible and Ethical AI Development: NAIS calls for a robust ethics framework to address transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI applications.
4. Developing a Robust AI Governance Framework: A key goal of NAIS is to balance innovation with regulation. By creating clear guidelines for AI, Nigeria aims to foster a regulatory environment that supports innovation while safeguarding public trust.

Risk Management and Challenges

NAIS also acknowledges the risks associated with rapid AI development. Using the NIST AI Risk Management Framework as a guide, the strategy sets out a proactive approach to managing these challenges. Identified risks include technological change outpacing regulatory frameworks, a lack of skilled AI professionals, and data security concerns. By recognizing and planning for these risks, the strategy lays the groundwork for responsible and sustainable AI growth.

Conclusion: A Path Toward Responsible AI Governance

Nigeria’s National AI Strategy 2024 is an ambitious yet grounded blueprint for harnessing AI’s power. As with any transformative initiative, the success of NAIS will depend on effective implementation, continuous evaluation, and adaptive oversight. The strategy’s commitment to ethical AI, collaboration, and inclusivity sets it apart, offering a model for responsible AI development in Africa and beyond.

Through NAIS, Nigeria has taken a bold step toward a future where AI serves as a tool for economic empowerment and social good. By balancing growth with governance, NAIS aims to establish Nigeria as a leader in AI – both within Africa and on the global stage.