The Nigerian government is actively searching for the most talented scientist with Nigerian heritage to contribute to the development of its National AI strategy. The strategy is aimed to is play a crucial role in addressing the country’s pressing issues through innovative technological solutions.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has confirmed that the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has already started creating a National Al Strategy.
Tijani said “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has proven to be a versatile technology that is reshaping industries and service delivery on a global scale. It has the potential to significantly contribute to economic growth and societal progress,”
“Nigeria, in particular, boasts a rapidly growing technology start-up ecosystem, having secured 25% of the $1.3 billion funding directed towards African tech start-ups in 2021. With proactive leadership, Nigeria is well-positioned to leverage AI for economic diversification and inclusive growth,” Tijani added.
Tijani emphasized the importance of implementing a National AI Strategy in Nigeria to effectively guide the responsible advancement of AI technology. This strategy aims to align with the nation’s goal of creating employment, promoting social inclusion and fostering sustainable development.
According to a study, the global economy could potentially benefit from AI with a contribution of up to $15.7 trillion by 2030. This estimate includes $3 trillion from enhanced productivity and an impressive $9.1 trillion from the introduction of new goods and services.
“By analyzing global AI research publications, researchers of Nigerian descent were identified regardless of their location. Machine learning models, including Naïve Bayes and Logistic Regression, were used to ensure high accuracy in identifying these researchers. A research index akin to the “h-index” was developed to scientifically select the most prominent AI researchers among the identified pool,” Tijani noted.
