The federal government and the Gates Foundation have partnered to launch the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub, which will receive up to $7.5 million in funding over the next three years.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, together with the Gates Foundation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to announce the initiative in Abuja.
AI scaling hub to improve education, agriculture, health sector
The initiative aims to expedite the responsible development and implementation of AI-driven solutions in the fields of education, agriculture, and health.
“The Nigeria AI Scaling Hub is a multi-stakeholder initiative that will coordinate the scaling of mature AI solutions in the country. The hub will convene government agencies, private sector tech companies, academia, and development partners to support the large-scale implementation of mature AI innovations,” said the statement.
“The Gates Foundation is supporting the Nigeria Scaling Hub with up to $7.5m commitment over a three-year period.”
AI scaling hub to translate AI ideas into measurable impact
Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, emphasised the hub’s critical role in transforming AI concepts into measurable outcomes during the event.
“By working with the Gates Foundation, we are strengthening our capacity to ensure that AI-driven solutions are developed responsibly and deployed equitably,” said Dr Tijani.
“The AI Scaling Hub will serve as a catalyst for Nigerian innovators — providing the resources, mentorship, and support necessary to translate ideas into impact.”
He also noted that the programme supports the government’s larger initiatives to embrace new technologies and is consistent with the National AI Strategy draft, which guides the responsible use of AI across industries.
Gates Foundation committed to reaching underserved communities
Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria Country Director for the Gates Foundation, highlighted AI’s transformative role in tackling development challenges and expressed the foundation’s commitment to ensuring AI benefits marginalised communities.
“AI is transforming how we address development challenges—unlocking new ways to improve lives and strengthen systems,” Amaonwu said.
“We’re proud to support the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub with the Government of Nigeria and Lagos Business School, investing in local talent and innovation to ensure the benefits of AI reach those who need them most.”
Expected outcomes
The AI Scaling Hub is expected to help Nigeria identify and implement high-impact AI solutions, further positioning the country as a leader in responsible AI innovation within Africa.
The ministry added that the hub will also advance Nigeria’s digital transformation by expanding access to cutting-edge technologies that improve services in agriculture, healthcare, and education.
Earlier this year in April, the Gates Foundation made a similar $7.5 million commitment to support a comparable AI scaling project in Rwanda.