The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as one of the global leaders in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, stated this on Thursday at the Colloquium on AI Policy in Nigeria, held in Abuja with the theme “Navigating Opportunities and Challenges for National Development.”
Usman, represented by Dr Khalifa Nuhu, Head of the Central Results Delivery and Coordination Unit, said Nigeria was working towards being ranked among the world’s top 50 AI-ready countries.
She noted that leadership, vision, investment and partnerships would be critical to achieving the nation’s AI aspirations.
Usman called for stronger collaboration with local and international partners across the public, private and academic sectors, stressing that AI policies must be contextualised to address Nigeria’s unique challenges.
“Open-mindedness and acknowledgment of concerns are crucial for effective AI policy development and implementation,” she said, adding that Nigeria was already making progress, as reflected in Time Magazine’s inclusion of the country in its list of top AI-ready nations.
Also speaking, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Hawwau Gambo, reiterated the corporation’s commitment to technology-driven policies that safeguard depositors and strengthen confidence in the financial system.
She emphasised that regulations must protect end-users without stifling innovation.
“We must ensure that creative technological minds developing AI-driven products and services are not hindered by policy, while also putting in place guidelines to protect the public,” Gambo said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Saban Media Services, Leah Katung-Babatunde, explained that the colloquium was designed to bridge communication gaps and highlight AI’s transformative potential in healthcare, agriculture and public services.
“AI is not a distant concept it is here, and its potential to transform our society is immense. But as we embrace its opportunities, we must also proactively address its challenges,” she said.
Babatunde added that the forum aimed to set ethical frameworks and ensure inclusive, equitable and forward-thinking AI policies that balance innovation with societal values.
