In what feels like a turning of the tide, Nigeria is increasingly exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a dynamic ally in the country’s long-standing battle against poverty. At the 4th Gilbert Onyemaelu Leadership and Diversity (GOLD) Public Lecture and Stakeholder Forum held in Abuja, a wide range of stakeholders — spanning academia, government, industry, and civil society — converged to issue a clarion call: it’s time for AI to transcend mere buzzword status and become a practical tool for social upliftment.
Prof. Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School, set the stage with a candid reminder that lofty words must yield to purposeful action. He argued that AI must be bent towards sectors that bolster self-sufficiency and sustainable growth for Nigerians. Beyond speeches, the country needs deliberate deployment of innovation to change lives.
Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed, PhD, Chancellor of Baze University and chairman of the forum, echoed this sentiment. He emphasised that AI shouldn’t only belong to the labs—it must be woven into Nigeria’s educational system. According to him, the country’s future demands must be met by preparing students today to engage with AI meaningfully tomorrow.
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Government’s AI Strategy – A Framework for Action
At the helm of the policy side, NITDA’s Director-General, Kachifu Inuwa Abdullahi, revealed the government’s blueprint: the recently launched National AI Strategy (NAIS). This framework aims to guide Nigeria’s responsible adoption of emerging AI technologies. It’s a crucial milestone, signalling that AI is not just an afterthought, but a structured part of the national development agenda.
Yet, policymakers didn’t stand alone. Khadijat Abdukadir of Ingryd Academy illustrated how AI could cut across sectors — from healthcare and agriculture to education and social services — creating multipronged solutions to poverty.
Similarly, Engr. Rex Mafiana of Flexip Group brought attention to the symbiosis between entrepreneurship and technology. He urged that AI should not be seen as a standalone fascination, but as a launchpad for homegrown innovators.
In rural Nigeria, too, the conversation deepened. Jane Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, spoke to AI’s transformative potential in reaching underserved, remote communities—making development tools not just available, but accessible.
Dr. Wence Nwoga of the Compliance Institute rounded up these ideas with a simple yet vital point: robust data is the backbone of policies that actually target the poor and measure success.
Expanding the AI Poverty Agenda — Voices from Industry & Ethics
From the telecom arena, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, President of ATCON, insisted that Nigeria’s digital infrastructure must be bent to serve social goals. He stressed that stronger networks and broader connectivity are not just business goals—they can be cornerstones for AI-fuelled poverty initiatives.
From academia, Prof. Ifeyinwa Achumba of IEEE Nigeria emphasised that to foster meaningful AI adoption, there must be stronger linkages between universities and tech industries. She pressed for curricula that mirror the technological demands of tomorrow.
A stimulating caution came from Dr. Uchenna Nnawuchi of Middlesex University. He reminded everyone that equitable technology must never inadvertently reinforce inequality. Data-driven tools must be deliberately designed to counter biases — not entrench them.
Beyond the Forum — AI’s Wider Role in Poverty Alleviation
While the GOLD Forum provided a vital platform, it is important to note that AI-driven poverty alleviation is already taking root alongside NITDA’s broader efforts. For example, elsewhere in the policy ecosystem, the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) system has undergone a significant digital upgrade. The government is now using AI to identify and include an additional 6.5 million urban poor Nigerians to the National Social Register, now totalling about 19.7 million beneficiaries. Mobile and banking data are analysed to detect previously invisible populations — particularly in urban slum areas.
Payments under the refreshed CCT are fully cashless, ensuring recipients receive aid directly into their bank accounts—no envelopes, no middlemen, no corruption. Verification audits by the World Bank and civil society groups show a high accuracy rate of 94%, with most “errors” due to unreachable contacts or relocations.
And that’s not all. Nigeria is also making strides in combining AI and robotics for social good. A proposal unveiled by the Federal Government’s Working Group suggests the launch of the Senator Oluremi Tinubu AI & Robotics Innovation Centre at NOUN. This facility will focus on children, youth, and women — aiming to incubate talent and spread digital empowerment nationwide using e-learning infrastructure.
Parallel efforts, such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, are training young Nigerians in AI, data science, and other digital skills — a strategic part of the government’s ambition to build a tech-savvy workforce by 2027.
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