Nigeria Pushes for More Inclusive AI at Global Development Dialogue

Nigeria’s NITDA is actively advocating for inclusive AI during global dialogues, emphasizing the need for local data, digital skills, and broader participation in the digital economy. AI may be spreading fast, but Nigeria wants the conversation to go beyond who gets access to the technology. The goal is to ensure development remains equitable.

Nigeria Advocates for Inclusive AI

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General and CEO of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), joined global leaders at a high-level dialogue on technology, innovation and social business for sustainable and inclusive development. This session was held during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

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The discussion brought together leaders including UN General Assembly President Dr. Khalilur Rahman and Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta. Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Brazil’s Minister of Development and Social Assistance Wellington Dias and Pakistan’s Minister of State Bilal Bin Saqib also participated.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Grameen Bank founder Professor Muhammad Yunus also participated as a keynote speaker. The Yunus Centre served as the host for the session.

Building Value Through Technology

For Nigeria, the bigger question is what people can actually do with emerging technology. Inuwa called for an approach to AI that enables people to understand, shape and create value from the technology, rather than simply consume AI tools.

He also emphasized the importance of AI reflecting local data, languages, cultures and societal needs. That position aligns with NITDA’s broader focus on building Nigeria’s digital economy through artificial intelligence, digital skills, and innovation.

The Future of Digital Transformation

The agency has also been emphasizing responsible AI adoption and digital sovereignty as part of its current technology agenda. “The true measure of digital transformation is not the sophistication of the technology we deploy, but the number of lives we improve, opportunities we create, and people we empower to participate in the digital economy,” noted Inuwa.

Why it Matters to Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem

The discussion comes as Nigeria works to build more local capacity around AI, digital skills and technology entrepreneurship. NITDA says its current priorities include digital transformation, talent development, and digital innovation.

For startups and technology builders, the emphasis on local context is particularly relevant. AI adoption is not only about deploying existing models; it also raises questions about access to relevant data, local talent, infrastructure and the ability to build products around the needs of Nigerian users.

Nigeria’s participation in the dialogue puts its digital ambitions into a wider global conversation. It highlights how countries can use emerging technologies to create economic opportunities while ensuring that more people can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.