President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that Nigeria is in discussions with Google to explore a partnership focused on five key areas, including enhancing scalable cloud infrastructure, equipping the workforce with future-ready skills, promoting AI innovation and research, driving cloud adoption, and positioning Nigeria as a global hub for digital transformation.
The president, who, in a statement published on his X social media account, shared his discussions in Paris with CEO of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary, Google, Sundar Pichai, noted that Nigeria already has strong prospects in AI, highlighting Awarri Technologies as a key player in developing AI software infrastructure tailored to the country’s unique arts, culture, and languages.
“It is worth noting that Nigeria already has some bright prospects in the AI space, including the likes of Awarri Technologies, with whom the Federal Government is currently collaborating to build critical AI software infrastructure to meet the needs of the local market unique to our arts and culture, languages, and society, amongst others, which have mostly been put on the backburner by current existing models. This includes data capture platforms and an LLM for Nigerian languages in partnership with our National Centre for AI and Robotics ,” Tinubu stated.
He emphasised that this initiative aligns with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, and innovation. “This will empower businesses, create new opportunities, and establish Nigeria as a significant player in the global digital economy,” he said.
According to the president, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy will oversee the strategy, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will lead its implementation.
“Nigeria is poised to take the lead in AI and technology—this is merely the start of an exciting journey!” the President declared.
