Nigeria is banking on artificial intelligence (AI) to help propel its economy to the $1tn mark, a central ambition of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to the minister of communications and digital economy, Bosun Tijani.
Tijani’s comments came after he was named among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential figures in AI for 2025, alongside Elon Musk of Tesla and Sam Altman of OpenAI, in recognition of his role in shaping the global conversation around the technology.
He pointed to a national AI strategy, new research programmes and international partnerships as evidence of progress. “We got over 120 experts of Nigerian descent to co-create the long-term strategy for the responsible use and development of AI,” Tijani wrote on LinkedIn. “This recognition further validates our belief that Nigeria can stand as a global leader in the responsible and inclusive deployment of AI for increased productivity.”
The framework underpinning Nigeria’s $1tn economy target, endorsed by the National Economic Council last week, sets 2030 as the horizon for delivery. Technology is seen as a key pillar, with pilot projects already underway in healthcare, agriculture, education and financial inclusion. Backed by partners such as Google and the Gates Foundation, the government is supporting local innovators by providing mentorship, resources and funding to scale up AI-driven solutions.
To consolidate momentum, Tijani announced the launch of the AI Collective, a network of researchers and practitioners funded by the philanthropic group Luminate, and the AI Trust, a body of national leaders tasked with directing long-term investment in the sector.
Despite weak infrastructure, Nigeria is investing heavily in human capital, positioning technical skills as the foundation of its AI ecosystem. Through the “3 Million Technical Talent” initiative, the government is training workers to digitise public services and build datasets needed for machine learning systems.
“Our commitment remains clear: to ensure AI not only drives innovation but also contributes to building a $1tn economy as envisioned by President Tinubu,” Tijani said.
