The Nigerian government is set to unveil a $1.5 million (₦2.5 billion) fund aimed at accelerating the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country. This initiative, which will be launched on October 7, 2024, is spearheaded by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. The fund is supported by Luminate, a global foundation committed to promoting social and economic equality through technology.
Minister Tijani, while announcing the initiative, emphasized that the government is leveraging international resources to strengthen Nigeria’s AI ecosystem. “Our strategy with AI isn’t to limit it to local resources—we are pooling resources together. On the 7th of October in Abuja, we are launching an additional $1.5 million in support from Luminate,” Tijani stated.
This new initiative comes just a month after the government, in collaboration with Google, launched a ₦100 million (~$61,000) fund to empower 10 Nigerian startups utilizing AI. That earlier effort, coordinated by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), aimed to foster innovation in the AI sector. However, it faced criticism from the Nigerian tech community, with many arguing that the amount was insufficient to make a meaningful impact in an industry where individual startups can receive up to $350,000 in funding from global initiatives.
One vocal critic remarked that the ₦100 million fund wouldn’t even cover the cost of an Nvidia chip, essential for AI development. In response, Minister Tijani clarified that the criticism stemmed from a misunderstanding. “The focus has been too much on the amount, without considering the additional support and ongoing efforts to secure more resources for the tech ecosystem,” he said.
Tijani further disclosed that the ministry is working on establishing a National Artificial Intelligence Trust in collaboration with the AI Collaborative. This initiative will focus on incorporating local languages into AI development, while ensuring ethical and sustainable growth in the sector. “The Trust will be a body that ensures AI development in Nigeria is ethical, safe, and sustainable, working alongside the government to drive growth,” the Minister said.
The government’s AI initiatives reflect a growing interest in positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global tech landscape. Earlier in 2024, Minister Tijani announced the formation of the AI Collective, a community designed to foster collaboration among civil society, academia, and tech sectors. Luminate has pledged support for organizations involved in the AI Collective, enhancing their ability to draw on expertise from diverse fields to fuel Nigeria’s tech ambitions.
These initiatives align with Nigeria’s long-term strategy to collaborate with both local and international stakeholders. In November 2023, Minister Tijani revealed that the government was exploring partnerships with the private sector to bolster the country’s technological capabilities, with AI as a focal point.
The launch of the $1.5 million fund marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s journey to become a major player in the global AI industry, with hopes that this increased investment will drive innovation and build a robust tech ecosystem across the nation.
