The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building an inclusive, innovation-driven artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem with the launch of the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC)-INNOPOWER Free MSMEs AI Master Trainer Programme in Abuja.
Speaking at the official launch held at the United Nations House, Abuja, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, represented by the Director of Digital Development Services, Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, described artificial intelligence as a transformative force that is already reshaping economies, industries and societies across the world.
He said the initiative reflected a shared commitment by government and development partners to equip Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the knowledge and practical skills required to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
According to him, artificial intelligence is no longer a technology of the future but a defining force of the present, creating new opportunities for economic growth, innovation and competitiveness.
“In Nigeria, we have made a deliberate choice not to remain passive consumers of AI developed elsewhere. We are laying the foundation to become active contributors to the global AI ecosystem,” he said.
Olawunmi noted that NITDA is implementing the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy to strengthen AI infrastructure, promote responsible AI development, accelerate adoption across critical sectors and establish governance frameworks that ensure the technology serves humanity responsibly.
He highlighted several flagship initiatives driving Nigeria’s AI agenda, including the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the Nigeria AI Collective, the N-ATLAS multilingual large language model, the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative.
The NITDA representative stressed that MSMEs, which form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, stand to benefit significantly from AI through improved productivity, automation, innovation and expanded market opportunities.
He maintained that Africa’s success in the global AI landscape would depend on strategic investments in talent, digital infrastructure, institutions and partnerships.
“The countries that will lead the AI economy are not necessarily those that consume the most AI solutions, but those that develop talent, build infrastructure and create ecosystems where innovation flourishes responsibly,” he said.
Olawunmi commended INNOPOWER and the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition for bringing together key stakeholders from government, industry and development organisations to promote responsible AI adoption and strengthen entrepreneurship across Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.
He also emphasised the need to build sovereign digital infrastructure, preserve indigenous languages in AI systems and expand digital literacy to ensure every Nigerian benefits from the country’s digital transformation.
He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to collaborating with partners across government, academia and the private sector to build a resilient and globally competitive AI ecosystem.
“History has shown that every technological revolution reshapes the global balance of power. Nations that prosper are those with the foresight to invest in their people and build ecosystems that transform ideas into prosperity,” he said.
Earlier, the Regional President of the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC), Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, described the MSME AI Master Trainer Programme as a strategic investment in Africa’s human capital.
He said the initiative is designed to equip trainers with practical AI skills that will empower entrepreneurs, strengthen MSMEs, create quality jobs and accelerate sustainable industrial development across the region.
Yerima urged participants to maximise the opportunity by applying the knowledge gained to transform their businesses while calling for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, financial institutions, academia and the private sector to build an AI-powered economy capable of enhancing Africa’s global competitiveness and delivering inclusive economic growth.
