The Nigerian government has unveiled plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to drive its ambition of achieving a $1 trillion economy. According to Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani, this goal aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for the country’s economic growth. Tijani, who was named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential personalities in AI in 2025 alongside figures such as Elon Musk and Sam Altman, emphasized AI’s transformative potential.
He highlighted the nation’s AI progress over the past two years, noting the development of a National AI Strategy that involved more than 120 experts of Nigerian descent. The strategy aims to promote the responsible use and development of AI in critical sectors—including healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion. To achieve its economic objectives, the government is facilitating the scaling of mature AI solutions created by Nigerian innovators, providing resources, mentorship, and support to translate ideas into impact.
The administration has also launched the AI Collective, a community of proactive AI researchers and practitioners, to ensure the long‑term sustainability of AI in Nigeria. The framework for the $1 trillion economy target was recently announced and endorsed by the National Economic Council. Pilot AI applications are already underway in key areas such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion, with support from partners like Google and the Gates Foundation.
To sustain momentum, the government established the AI Trust, a body of national leaders tasked with steering long‑term investments in the sector. Nigeria’s growing role in shaping the global future of artificial intelligence underscores its commitment to harnessing AI’s potential for economic growth and transformation. With a clear roadmap and a goal to realize its aspirations by 2030, Nigeria’s leadership is poised to make significant strides in leveraging AI to achieve its development objectives.
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