SHALOM OLALEYE
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa , has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to supporting startups in advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) research in Nigeria.
Inuwa made this declaration during his keynote address at the Innovate Nigeria 2024 Conference & Expo held at the Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, the Agency’s Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy Department, Inuwa commended Nova Tech for organizing the conference, emphasizing its timeliness amid the rapid global advancement of AI’s transformative potential.
“There could not have been any better time to hold such a conference than now when the rapid acceleration of Artificial Intelligence presents an intriguing paradox, as its seemingly limitless potential promises to revolutionise every facet of life”, he said.
Inuwa noted a projected market value of AI surpassing $190 billion by 2025, underlining the positive correlation between government investment and AI advancements.
Inuwa outlined key initiatives by the Nigerian government, including direct investment in research and development, establishment of collaborative ecosystems, policy formulation, international collaboration, and education support and stressed the alignment of these initiatives with the government’s 8-point agenda, particularly emphasizing the importance of creating an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“It may interest the audience to note that the 8-point agenda of the present administration aptly captures the requirements of the government in terms of what needs to be done”.
The 7th agenda which is Accelerating Diversification through Industrialisation, Digitisation, Creative Arts, Manufacturing and Innovation resonates with the specific role of government in AI research upon which democratisation of digital service to create more economic value anchors, He said.