The Centre for Information Technology and Development has called for increased investment in artificial intelligence research and innovation as Nigeria ranks 72nd out of 195 countries in global AI readiness.
Dr Salihu Abdulkarim, Assistant Director, Research and Development at the National Information Technology Development Agency, disclosed this at a Research Methodology Workshop on AI readiness at subnational levels convened by CITAD in Kano.
Abdulkarim said Nigeria’s ranking highlights both opportunities and gaps in the country’s digital ecosystem as governments across the world intensify efforts to harness AI.
He said, “Nigeria, with 179.6 million mobile subscribers and over 90,000 kilometres of optic fibre network, is projected to generate 18.3 million dollars in 2026, with Information and Communication Technology expected to contribute 21 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product by 2027.”
He added, “Egypt ranks 5th globally in AI readiness, while Kenya and South Africa rank 65th and 67th respectively, with Tunisia at 99th.”
Abdulkarim further said, “Nigeria’s National AI strategy launched in August 2024 was built on five pillars of transformation, targeting talent development with skills programme in AI centre of excellence and research fellowship.”
“The Federal Government is targeting three million tech graduates focusing on high-demand skills including AI, Machine Learning and Data Science to build human capital, but the challenges remain infrastructure, fibre vandalism, missed targets, right of way and rural coverage gaps,” he said.
He, however, noted that while Lagos State has a robust ICT policy, broadband penetration and thriving tech hubs, Kano is also recording growth in its tech ecosystem and digital initiatives.
Abdulkarim expressed concern over the migration of skilled IT graduates to countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada in search of better opportunities.
“Upscaling is key, but AI will not take over human jobs,” he added.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of CITAD, Malam Y.Z. Ya’u, said the organisation had proposed a pilot state-level assessment for AI deployment to evaluate readiness and public awareness.
“We want to know if the state governments are ready, and if they are, what infrastructure is available and how many data centres are in place,” he said.
Ya’u explained that Kano, Plateau and Bauchi states were selected to represent the three geopolitical zones in Northern Nigeria for the assessment.
Also, a lecturer at the Computer Science Department, Bayero University Kano, Dr Hafsat Ahmed Kabir, said AI deployment requires significant infrastructure.
“AI deployment requires computing power, reliable electricity, high-speed connectivity, data centres and cloud services because the system needs massive data processing to work,” she said.
Kabir added, “The major challenge lies in implementing AI strategies at the state level.”