Nigeria is making significant strides towards establishing itself as a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI), spearheaded by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. A key revelation made during the Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2023 in Lagos was the identification of over 6,000 Artificial Intelligence researchers of Nigerian descent worldwide. These researchers are deemed crucial for integrating AI across all sectors in Nigeria, aiming to stimulate economic growth and create numerous job opportunities.

The initiative gained momentum in August when Dr. Tijani used social media to solicit recommendations for AI researchers of Nigerian origin. This collaborative strategy is designed to co-create a comprehensive National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, leveraging the expertise and inclusive perspective of the global Nigerian diaspora. This strategic approach underscores Nigeria's commitment to innovation and its ambition to become a frontrunner in the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. Bosun Tijani elaborated on the methodology behind discovering this extensive network of over 6,000 Nigerian researchers. He highlighted the Ministry's proactive stance on AI, noting that while there hasn't been significant past investment, Nigerian intellect is globally recognized. The Ministry utilized AI itself to assist in this discovery: “Since I’ve been in office, we’ve prioritized artificial intelligence, and the first thing we did was to understand that we’ve not invested significantly in AI before. But we know for certain that there’s absolutely no top academic institution in the world where you don’t have a Nigerian. So, we gave AI the assignments to help us find them. We downloaded all the academic publications on artificial intelligence in the world,” the minister explained. The ministry then employed a library of Nigerian names to train a machine learning model, instructing it to sift through thousands of academic publications to identify names resembling Nigerian ones. This process successfully pinpointed over 6,000 world-class AI researchers of Nigerian descent.

This extensive network forms the foundation for Nigeria’s reimagined Artificial Intelligence strategy, providing clarity on how AI can benefit the nation while also addressing how to protect Nigeria from potential drawbacks of AI. Beyond identifying talent, the Ministry is actively fostering AI innovation by supporting local startups. Dr. Tijani emphasized the government's commitment to companies that prioritize generating AI employment opportunities within the country.

Further demonstrating this commitment, the government plans to unveil 45 selected startups by the end of the year for empowerment under its AI Research Scheme. Each chosen startup and researcher focused on AI will receive N5 million. This capital injection is expected to catalyze innovation, enable startups to scale operations, conduct advanced research, and develop cutting-edge AI solutions. The AI Research Scheme is poised to accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s AI ecosystem by cultivating a vibrant and competitive environment for innovation.

This initiative not only meets the financial needs of startups but also serves as a catalyst for developing a dynamic community of AI-driven enterprises. As these startups grow with the aid of the AI Research Scheme, a ripple effect on job creation is anticipated, as funded enterprises hire skilled professionals. Moreover, successful startups will contribute substantially to the country’s economic growth and technological advancement, positioning Nigeria as a hub for AI innovation and gaining global recognition for its contributions to Artificial Intelligence.