Introduction: AI as a Driver of Nigeria’s Innovation Economy
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword in global technology circles; it is rapidly shaping how societies educate their youth, deliver healthcare, grow food, and run financial systems. For Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has placed AI at the center of its innovation agenda. The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), released in 2024, provides the framework for responsible adoption, while initiatives such as the Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) show how policy is being translated into tangible support for startups and industry. By investing in research, building infrastructure for experimentation, and linking local innovators to global technology leaders, NITDA is ensuring that AI actively fuels the next generation of Nigerian businesses.
Funding Innovation: The Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme
One of the clearest demonstrations of NITDA’s commitment to powering applied AI is the Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme. The program provides up to ₦5 million in grants to each of 45 research teams and startups across the country. Unlike traditional research efforts that often remain theoretical, the scheme is designed to generate practical solutions for sectors that touch the daily lives of Nigerians. Agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial services are among the focus areas which ensures that innovation is directly aligned with national development priorities. By seeding projects at this scale, NITDA is creating a pipeline of homegrown companies and research teams capable of turning ideas into products that can compete globally.
Building Capacity: The Role of NCAIR
Grants may spark ideas, but infrastructure sustains them. To close that gap, NITDA established the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), which has quickly become a hub for experimentation and collaboration. At NCAIR, startups and researchers can test prototypes, access mentorship, and work with advanced AI and robotics technologies. The Centre has already supported pilots in areas such as precision agriculture, where AI tools help farmers increase yields, and in healthcare, where diagnostic algorithms can assist overburdened medical staff in rural clinics. It has also fostered projects in natural language processing, enabling more inclusive digital tools that reflect Nigeria’s linguistic diversity. By lowering barriers to experimentation and providing shared infrastructure, NCAIR ensures that the research supported through grant schemes has a pathway to become market-ready solutions.
Connecting to Global Opportunities
NITDA has positioned itself as a bridge between domestic innovators and international technology leaders. A recent example is the NITDA–Google AI Fund, which supports ten Nigerian startups with financing and technical resources. Beyond the immediate benefit of capital, this partnership creates channels for knowledge transfer and helps startups plug into regional and international markets. These initiatives strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leader in Africa’s emerging AI landscape, making the country a destination for future investment.
From Policy to Global Ambition
NITDA’s AI strategy demonstrates how a public institution can move from vision to impact by combining funding, infrastructure, and global partnerships. The Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme is creating a pipeline of innovative projects, NCAIR is providing the facilities and expertise to refine them, and initiatives such as the Google AI Fund are connecting Nigerian startups to international markets. But this is about more than programs or pilots. It is a deliberate bet on Nigeria’s place in the global digital economy. As these initiatives scale, Nigeria will move from being a consumer of AI technologies to setting the pace for how they are developed and applied across Africa. That is the scale of ambition driving NITDA’s work — and it is a vision with positive impacts far beyond Nigeria’s borders.