moRganable Technology |AI
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to build homegrown artificial intelligence capacity as the Federal Government seeks to make technology a major driver of its ambition to grow the economy to $1 trillion.
LAgos —
The government is now pushing for greater investment in local talent, digital infrastructure and indigenous innovation, with officials warning that Nigeria must move beyond simply consuming technologies developed in other countries.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made the call during the opening of GITEX NIGERIA 2026 in Abuja, where government officials, technology companies, investors and other digital economy stakeholders gathered to discuss the country’s technology future.
Akume said Nigeria needed to move beyond basic internet connectivity and develop the capabilities required to produce technology locally.
According to him, the country’s economic transformation depends on its ability to develop local talent, build sovereign digital infrastructure and create artificial intelligence systems that respond to the needs of Nigerians.
He said the country should transition from being a consumer of foreign technology to becoming a producer of technology, talent and infrastructure capable of competing in the global market.
The Federal Government’s renewed focus on artificial intelligence comes as countries around the world increase investments in AI, cloud computing, data centres and other emerging technologies.
For Nigeria, stakeholders believe the sector could create new opportunities for young people, businesses, researchers and technology entrepreneurs while also helping the country reduce its dependence on imported digital solutions.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdullahi, said Nigeria was already developing some of the foundations required to achieve greater digital sovereignty.
He identified technical skills, connectivity, cloud infrastructure and effective regulation as important areas that require sustained investment.
The agency has also highlighted initiatives aimed at expanding the country’s technology talent pool and improving digital skills among Nigerians. These efforts include programmes such as Digital Literacy for All, the 3 Million Technical Talent programme and Project BRIDGE.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu identified computing infrastructure as another major area Nigeria must develop if the country wants to benefit fully from the growing AI economy.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos already has significant subsea cable capacity but argued that the country needs more computing infrastructure to process the growing volume of data and AI workloads generated across Africa.
He said many African AI workloads are currently processed outside the continent, creating challenges around cost, speed and data sovereignty.
Consequently, he described the development of local computing infrastructure as both a national necessity and an investment opportunity.
Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s largest technology markets gives it an advantage in attracting investments. However, stakeholders say the country must strengthen the infrastructure that supports the digital economy if it wants to turn that advantage into sustainable economic growth.
Beyond infrastructure, the availability of skilled workers remains central to Nigeria’s AI ambitions.
The country has a large and youthful population, and technology stakeholders have repeatedly identified digital skills as an important pathway to employment and entrepreneurship.
Therefore, expanding access to quality technology education could help more Nigerians participate in the digital economy.
This includes young people in schools and universities, professionals seeking new skills, entrepreneurs developing technology products and workers who need to adapt to changes brought by artificial intelligence.
At the same time, the government faces the challenge of ensuring that the growth of AI remains inclusive.
As more organizations adopt automated systems, Nigerians will need opportunities to acquire the skills required to work alongside emerging technologies rather than become excluded from new economic opportunities.
In addition, policymakers will have to address issues surrounding data protection, cybersecurity, responsible AI use and digital access.
The discussions at GITEX NIGERIA 2026 also highlighted the potential of digital public services to create new opportunities for technology companies.
Sanwo-Olu identified areas such as procurement, revenue collection, health records, transportation, land administration and permitting as sectors where digital solutions could improve efficiency and create new markets for technology providers.
The development of indigenous AI could also strengthen Nigerian businesses by providing solutions designed around local realities.
For instance, locally developed technologies could better respond to Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, cultural context, business environment and public-sector needs.
This could make AI more accessible to citizens who may not benefit fully from systems designed primarily for other markets.
Furthermore, developing local technology could create opportunities for Nigerian companies to export digital products and services to other African countries.
The government’s $1 trillion economic ambition therefore places technology at the centre of a broader effort to diversify Nigeria’s sources of growth.
The administration has maintained that its economic reforms and infrastructure investments are laying the foundation for the target, while recent government statements have linked digital transformation to the country’s long-term growth strategy.
GITEX NIGERIA 2026, held from August 31 to September 3 across Abuja and Lagos, brought together technology leaders, startups, investors and policymakers to discuss artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, connectivity and investment.
More than 200 investors from 30 countries were expected to participate in the Lagos programme, creating opportunities for Nigerian startups and technology companies to connect with international investors.
However, the success of Nigeria’s AI ambition will ultimately depend on how effectively the country converts policy statements into practical investments.
Building data centres, expanding reliable connectivity, training workers, supporting researchers and creating an environment where technology companies can grow will require sustained cooperation between government, businesses, educational institutions and investors.
For millions of Nigerians, the value of the AI revolution will not be measured only by the number of technologies developed, but by whether those technologies create jobs, improve public services, support businesses and make everyday life easier.
As Nigeria pursues its $1 trillion economic ambition, the push for indigenous AI capacity signals a broader attempt to ensure that Nigerians do not remain passive users of the next generation of technology.
Instead, the government wants the country to become a place where Nigerians can build, own, deploy and export the technologies shaping the future.
