For a country with a struggling economy, Nigeria is aiming to do the impossible, having the desire to lead the AI space. The ambition and somewhat goal, of the Nigerian Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
An ambition first expressed in October 2023, in an interview, the Minister explained during the eight-minute-long interview that the desire was for Nigeria to be one of the leading countries in the world of AI, a feat that even the more developed and advanced countries are struggling with.
To the Nigerian Minister of Communication, the idea is simply for Nigeria to solve the country’s issues by developing more of the advancing technology. He plans to follow the directions of other African countries such as Egypt and Tunisia, and create an AI strategy for the country.
As expected, the blowback on the Communication Minister’s AI ambition was bad. Nigerians look at it as a waste of time and resources, which the government could better utilize to solve the existing crisis in the country, such as the rapid devaluation of the currency, electricity, food and water supply, inflation, and poverty.
According to Nigerians, this move shows signs of stupidity by the Minister and blindsight to the existing problems of the nation. The idea of AI advancement is premature and not as important as the everyday inflation happening in the country.
Understandably, AI can be helpful in agriculture, security, and eventually healthcare, if developed for that purpose. Africa now is growing in the AI space, projecting to have an AI market net worth of $6.9 billion by the end of 2024.
Moving in this direction would divert resources from deprived areas and focus on a goal that the country does not even have a plan for.
