Nigeria’s Position in Global AI Readiness
Nigeria, a country with a population of over 200 million people, is currently ranked 72nd out of 195 countries in terms of global artificial intelligence (AI) readiness. This ranking was highlighted by Dr. Salihu Abdulkarim, an Assistant Director at the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), during a Research Methodology workshop on AI readiness held in Kano. The event was organized by the Centre for Information Technology Development (CITAD).
Dr. Abdulkarim emphasized that despite its position, Nigeria has significant potential to grow its AI capabilities. With 179.6 million mobile subscribers and an extensive optic fibre network spanning over 90,000 kilometers, the country is expected to generate $18.3 million in revenue from AI-related activities by 2026. Additionally, the ICT sector is projected to contribute 21% to Nigeria’s GDP by 2027.
Regional Comparisons and National Strategy
In comparison, Egypt ranks 5th globally, while Kenya and South Africa are placed at 65th and 67th respectively. Tunisia follows at 99th. These rankings reflect the varying levels of AI development across African nations.
Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, launched in August 2024, is built on five key pillars aimed at transforming the country’s digital landscape. These include talent development through skills programs in AI centers of excellence and research fellowships. The federal government has set a target of producing 3 million tech graduates with expertise in high-demand fields such as AI, machine learning, and data science.
However, several challenges remain. Infrastructure gaps, fiber vandalism, missed targets, issues with right of way, and limited rural coverage continue to hinder progress. Despite these obstacles, states like Lagos have shown strong commitment to ICT development, with robust policies, broadband penetration, and thriving tech hubs. Similarly, Kano has made notable progress in its tech ecosystem and digital initiatives.
Brain Drain and the Need for Upscaling
Despite these advancements, Dr. Abdulkarim expressed concern about the migration of skilled IT graduates to countries like the UK and Canada, where better opportunities exist. He stressed that upscaling Nigeria’s AI capabilities is essential, but he also clarified that AI will not replace human jobs entirely. Instead, it should be seen as a tool to enhance productivity and innovation.
CITAD Executive Director YZ Yau proposed a pilot state-level assessment to evaluate AI readiness and public awareness. He highlighted concerns about the preparedness of state governments, including the availability of infrastructure and the number of data centers in place. Kano, Plateau, and Bauchi states were selected to represent the three geopolitical zones in the North for this initiative.
Challenges in State-Level AI Implementation
Dr. Hafsat Ahmed Kabir from the Computer Science Department at BUK emphasized that successful AI deployment requires computing power, reliable electricity, high-speed connectivity, data centers, and cloud services. She noted that massive data processing is essential for AI systems to function effectively.
The challenge lies in implementing the national AI strategy at the state level. While the vision is clear, the execution requires significant investment in infrastructure and capacity building. Addressing these challenges will be critical to ensuring that Nigeria can fully leverage the potential of AI in the coming years.
Conclusion
As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of AI development, it is clear that collaboration between federal and state governments, private sector involvement, and international partnerships will play a vital role. By addressing existing barriers and investing in sustainable infrastructure, Nigeria can improve its global AI readiness and position itself as a leader in the African tech landscape.
