Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has unveiled the country’s ambitious vision for a National AI Trust during a high-level convening at Warwick Business School (WBS) in London.
This is a significant step toward shaping Nigeria’s artificial intelligence future.
The two-day National AI Trust, hosted by Warwick Business School, brought together senior Nigerian government officials, global AI experts, business executives, academics, civil society representatives, and public interest groups to deliberate on the framework and governance structure of the proposed AI Trust.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to position Nigeria as a leading player in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem.
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Addressing participants at the event, Dr. Tijani described the proposed National AI Trust as a pioneering governance model designed to guide Nigeria’s AI adoption, investment strategy, and responsible innovation agenda.
“We are going to become a standard bearer for the world. This has never been done before; the AI Trust is one of its kind and is an important step in building the foundations for Nigeria to thrive in the age of AI,” the Minister said.
He emphasised that artificial intelligence is rapidly emerging as a transformative technology capable of reshaping economies, industries, and societies.
According to him, AI is increasingly becoming the operating system through which nations compete and businesses evolve, making it imperative for Nigeria to establish robust governance mechanisms that ensure responsible development and deployment of the technology.
Dr. Tijani noted that for Nigeria to lead Africa in the AI revolution, the country must foster innovation while creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, researchers, and businesses.
“To be part of this race and lead Africa, Nigeria will have to be more innovative,” he said. “The Government’s job is to ensure the infrastructure and governance are in place for businesses and entrepreneurs to gain the full benefit of AI,” the Minister said.
He also linked the AI Trust initiative to the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation strategy, particularly Project BRIDGE, an ambitious programme aimed at deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across Nigeria.
Dr. Tijani is currently leading efforts to raise $2 billion to fund the project, which is expected to significantly improve broadband connectivity and digital access nationwide.
According to him, while infrastructure remains essential, sustainable competitiveness in the digital age depends equally on effective governance.
“The competitiveness of any society starts with governance. If the Trust can demonstrate impact and show its value, then it will ensure its longevity beyond the present government,” Dr. Tijani stated.
He further highlighted the importance of ensuring Africa’s representation in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, noting that global AI systems must reflect diverse cultural, social, and economic realities.
The Minister said, “Representation in the new AI world is important for Africa. We need participation beyond the US and the West. As AI systems expand globally, understanding diverse contexts matters. The National AI Trust can play a part in this.”
Speaking at the convening, Professor Andy Lockett, Dean of Warwick Business School, underscored the global significance of AI governance and commended Nigeria’s efforts to develop a forward-looking framework.
“AI governance is of huge importance—not just for Africa, but for countries around the world. At Warwick Business School, it is in our DNA to influence both policy and practice. We are delighted to support initiatives like the Nigeria AI Trust and to convene important conversations where we can learn, collaborate and shape the future together,” Professor Lockett said.
The event also featured contributions from Warwick Business School faculty members who shared insights on AI governance, innovation policy, entrepreneurship, and the future of emerging technologies.
The National AI Trust Convening was organised in partnership with Co-creation Hub (CcHUB), one of Africa’s leading innovation and technology organisations, and the MacArthur Foundation, a United States-based philanthropic institution.
