*As Luminate commits $1.5m to Nigeria AI Collective
WorldStage Newsonline– Nigeria has unveiled its ambitious initiative to build a more inclusive and ethical AI landscape, designed not only for Nigeria but as a model for other nations across Africa and beyond.
In a world where technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), is rapidly reshaping societies with Nigeria stepping forward as a global leader in AI governance.
At a landmark event supported by Luminate, the MacArthur Foundation, and Ford Foundation, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani took the stage to commend Luminate and the other partners for their support.
He emphasized the critical role AI plays in Africa’s future, stating that “AI is about humans teaching machines how to think like us and perform tasks we can perform.”
However, he stressed that the potential of AI extends beyond human limitations, saying, “With vast amounts of data, AI systems can process and analyze information at an unprecedented scale, offering the potential for groundbreaking advancements.”
Tijani pointed out that the success of AI governance in Nigeria would not rely solely on government efforts.
“The Nigeria AI Collective represents a holistic, ecosystem-wide approach, bringing together diverse stakeholders from civil society, academia, and the tech industry to shape the future of AI in Nigeria,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of data sovereignty, cautioning against merely exporting Nigerian data without safeguarding the country’s history and identity.
“Through the collective, Nigeria aims to establish standards for digitization that ensure the country’s unique realities are used to train AI models that truly serve the needs of its people,” he said.
Recognizing that knowledge of AI is still limited in Nigeria across civil society and tech sectors, Tijani stressed the need for collective learning and collaboration.
“We must give ourselves the opportunity to be part of the development of AI,” he said, urging stakeholders to work together to build the necessary infrastructure and knowledge base.
The Chief Executive Officer, Luminate, Stephen King, expressed his gratitude to Minister Bosun Tijani for his leadership, not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
King celebrated Tijani’s efforts in fostering a vibrant AI ecosystem and announced Luminate’s support for the Nigeria AI Collective, committing $1.5 million over the next three years.
“ Luminate’s commitment is aligned with the efforts of other organizations like the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation and together they aim to ensure that AI in Nigeria is developed and deployed in safe, ethical, and inclusive ways,” he said.
King outlined Luminate’s support for three key organizations within the AI Collective. The Lagos Business School will manage research and provide academic programs to nurture AI talent. The Center for Journalism Innovations and Development will focus on AI governance, working with civil society organizations and media to explore AI’s impact on the information ecosystem. Lastly, Data Science Nigeria will drive innovation and entrepreneurship, creating a platform for AI startups to scale and develop groundbreaking solutions. These efforts will be coordinated by the Policy Innovation Center to ensure a cohesive and strategic approach.
The Regional Director at Ford Foundation office, West Africa, Catherine Aniagolu-Okoye, set the stage by acknowledging the profound influence of AI and the tech sector, dominated by private companies with vast resources.
She noted that governments often lack the independent, public technology expertise needed to navigate this fast-evolving landscape. But Nigeria’s innovative response, the Nigeria AI Collective, aims to address this gap.
“This multi-stakeholder initiative brings together government, civil society, and technical experts to shape AI governance, ensuring that it serves the public good. The initiative, the representative suggested, would inspire other nations to similarly prioritize public interest technology expertise,” she said.
With a shared vision of driving AI innovation that serves society, the Nigeria AI Collective marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s technological journey—a journey that promises to position Nigeria as a leader in the ethical development and deployment of AI, both in Africa and on the global stage.
The event, organised in partnership with the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), Lagos Business School (LBS), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), and Data Science Nigeria (DSN), was attended by top policymakers, industry leaders, and AI experts.
