Nigeria is poised to take a significant leap in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation through a new partnership with Google. President Bola Tinubu announced the collaboration via his official X handle following a meeting with Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, in Paris, France.
The strategic alliance will focus on five key areas: expanding Nigeria’s cloud infrastructure, equipping the workforce with essential future-ready skills, fostering AI-driven innovation and research, accelerating cloud adoption, and positioning Nigeria as a global hub for technological advancement and AI transformation.
President Tinubu underscored Nigeria’s existing AI potential, citing the work of Silas Adekunle’s Awarri as a notable example. Awarri is actively developing AI software infrastructure designed to meet the unique needs of Nigeria’s local market, particularly in areas such as arts and culture, languages, and societal development. He highlighted the importance of integrating AI into these sectors, which have been largely overlooked by mainstream AI models.
Echoing this sentiment, Sundar Pichai expressed optimism about AI’s role in Nigeria’s future. “We had discussions about the vast potential of AI in Nigeria and explored ways to collaborate in expanding AI skills, fostering innovation, and supporting the country’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem,” Pichai stated.
Additionally, Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, emphasized the urgency for Nigeria to take a leadership role in AI development and regulation. “In the near future, AI systems will converge, and Nigeria must position itself as a global powerhouse in both AI development and regulation,” he asserted.
This partnership marks a crucial step toward strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy, leveraging AI to drive innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness.
Main Image: TechPoint Africa
