The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced that the Ministry has identified over 6,000 Nigerian-born AI researchers worldwide to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI. The announcement occurred at Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2023 in Lagos.
At the event, Dr Tijani stressed the strategic importance of these AI experts in the country’s ambitious aim to integrate AI across all sectors, boosting economic growth and employment creation.
Dr Tijani tweeted in August to encourage Nigerians to recommend AI researchers of Nigerian heritage. This collaborative project emphasizes Nigerian diaspora knowledge and diversity to build a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
Using these AI researchers’ skills and knowledge to integrate AI shows Nigeria’s strategic innovation approach and commitment to leading in the fast-expanding area.
Read also: Nigerian Minister invites researchers to develop national AI strategy
Exploring the global network: 6,000 Nigerian AI researchers found
Bosun Tijani explained the Ministry’s proactive approach to finding approximately 6,000 Nigerian researchers worldwide:
AI has been a priority since I took office, and we found we hadn’t invested enough. No elite university has no Nigerian, we know. We sent AI to find them. The minister stated we downloaded all AI academic papers worldwide.
According to him, his ministry trained the system to search hundreds of library books for Nigerian names. His team found 6,000 top Nigerian AI researchers.
“This underpins Nigeria’s AI policy reform. How this technology will help Nigeria and shield it from AI’s flaws is being learned. He continued, That’s step one.
The government supports local AI startups
As part of its AI progress initiatives, the Ministry is building Nigeria’s worldwide AI workforce. The Minister stressed that the government will help enterprises that promote AI employment.
He added that the government will showcase 45 AI Research Scheme-empowered firms by year’s end. Each AI business and researcher would get N5 million through this initiative, boosting Nigeria’s AI ecosystem.
This funding could spur innovation. It will also help startups scale, investigate, and create cutting-edge AI technologies.
The AI Research Scheme will improve Nigeria’s AI ecosystem beyond finances. The government strategically supports AI startups to promote innovation. The move funds entrepreneurs and builds an AI-driven business network.
These enterprises expand with AI Research Scheme support, creating jobs. Funding helps these startups hire talented AI workers, creating AI jobs. Successful enterprises boost economic growth and technology, benefiting the economy overall.
Nigeria becomes an AI innovation powerhouse with this bold step. Nigeria is investing in and supporting AI startups to become a worldwide leader.