By Our Reporter
The federal government has said that Nigeria would achieve its development agenda and accelerate growth with the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as one major tool.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo stated this at the opening ceremony of the 12th Regular meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) held in Markurdi, Benue State.
This year’s edition of the Council Meeting had the theme: “Accelerating the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence through Policy and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”.
Engr Yabo said considering the pivotal role of AI in driving developmental progress across key sectors of the national economy, including Health care, Agriculture, Education, Environmental protection and Infrastructure among others, the government has taken steps to adopt AI technology to make Nigeria’s economy globally competitive.
“The ministry has dedicated National Centre for AI and Robotics ( NCAIR), set up as a digital innovation and research facility focused on AI, Robotics and Drones, Internet of Things (IoT) and emerging technologies, aimed at transforming the Nigerian digital economy in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy ( NDEPS) 2020-2030.
“The ongoing nationwide talent development of 3MTT is aimed at training three million digital talents to position Nigeria as a global hub for the application of AI.
“The recent effort of the ministry to drive home-grown research through the provision of research grants to forty- five AI starts- ups and researchers through Nigeria’s AI Research Scheme (NAIRS) in critical sectors of the country is evidence of emerging Nigeria’s talent and entrepreneurial ecosystem”, Engr Yabo said.
According to him the boundaries of Nigeria’s AI efforts extend beyond her domestic lines.
He said in a statement signed by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Kania Andeyaba that in 2023, Nigeria signed the Bietch-ley Declaration on AI along with twenty-eight other nations, including the UK and France, committing to AI development that mitigates risk.
Engr Yabo told the Council members that, Nigeria also joined eighteen different countries globally that adopted the United States-led coalition to ensure AI is securely designed as a catalyst for humongous development.
To achieve this purpose of acceleration and enhancement, the Permanent Secretary added that the Ministry has ensured the provision of adequate infrastructure through the Right-of-Way policy where telecom operators pay state governments to lay fibre optic cables that carry internet traffic.
Given the turning point in Nigeria’s journey to greatness, Engr. Yabo is optimistic that with the critical mass of experts and policymakers, Nigeria can achieve much with AI tools.
He hinted that the Council members at the ongoing event are expected to review the implementation of resolutions reached at the 11th Council meeting.
He also remarked that the crucial interaction at the venue of the meeting will no doubt, represent the collective efforts towards repositioning the country in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of Renewed Hope Agenda.