Nigeria Opens First Government-Funded AI Research Hub to Drive Innovation Across Key Sectors

In a bold move to position Nigeria at the forefront of technological innovation in Africa, the Federal Government has unveiled the country’s first state-funded Artificial Intelligence Research Center, located in Abuja.

The facility, launched under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is expected to serve as a hub for machine learning, natural language processing, and AI-driven solutions tailored for agriculture, healthcare, education, and security.

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Speaking at the inauguration, Minister of Innovation, Dr. Bosun Tijani, described the center as “a leap into the future,” stressing that the project aims to create homegrown AI talent and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported tech systems.

Nigeria’s digital economy has grown rapidly in recent years, but experts say the country lags behind in critical infrastructure for artificial intelligence development. Until now, AI-related research and implementation had largely been led by private startups or foreign partnerships.

“This center marks a turning point,” said Prof. Ngozi Oladimeji, a data science expert at the University of Ibadan. “We now have a space where young Nigerians can develop real-world AI applications from disease prediction models to smart irrigation systems.”

The facility will be open to universities

, startups, and government agencies. It’s also expected to foster collaboration with international institutions and tech companies through grant funding and open-source projects.

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Initial research focus areas include:

• Precision agriculture for boosting crop yields

• AI-powered diagnostics for rural clinics

• Smart identity systems for national security

• Real-time language translation tools for education

The government has already committed over ₦10 billion in funding for the first three years, with additional support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the UNDP.

To support the center’s mission, a new AI Fellowship Program will launch in May, targeting 500 young Nigerians annually for training in Python, deep learning, data science, and robotics. Graduates will be funneled into government tech projects, startups, and international job pipelines.

“We’re not just building infrastructure,” said Dr. Tijani. “We’re building brains, skills, and global relevance.”

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Local tech leaders have praised the move as a step in the right direction but warn that success will depend on execution, transparency, and protection against political interference.

“There’s potential here to change the story of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem,” said Ifeanyi Oduah, co-founder of Lagos-based startup AgriBot. “If the government stays committed, this could unlock innovations we’ve only dreamed of.”