Nigeria’s digital revolution gained serious traction today with the official unveiling of the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub, a national initiative supported by the Gates Foundation to promote the safe, wide-scale adoption of AI across key sectors.
The project, announced by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, aims to catalyze innovation and support the deployment of mature, homegrown AI solutions that can tackle real-world problems in health, education, agriculture, and governance. The Gates Foundation is investing $7.5 million over three years to power the initiative.
The Scaling Hub will function as a national ecosystem for collaboration, drawing input from the private sector, government, research institutions, and development partners. Its ultimate goal is to put Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s AI leadership by promoting ethical, inclusive, and locally relevant technology development.
In another significant move, the Federal Government reaffirmed its partnership with UNICEF under the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) framework to train 20 million Nigerian youths in digital and entrepreneurial skills by 2030. The initiative is targeted at equipping young Nigerians aged 10 to 24 with tools and knowledge for the digital economy, with a strong focus on innovation, job creation, and financial inclusion.
Meanwhile, Bill Gates, who is currently visiting Nigeria, met with stakeholders in Lagos where he highlighted the importance of deploying AI to tackle Africa’s development challenges. At a media briefing, Gates called on nations like Nigeria to seize the moment and lead in the use of AI—not as followers of global trends, but as innovators with unique local solutions.
“AI has the power to unlock better health outcomes, agricultural productivity, and education systems in Africa. Countries like Nigeria don’t have to wait. They can lead,” Gates said.
