Nigeria is seeking to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) governance with the development of a National AI Trust, an initiative designed to shape the country’s approach to AI adoption, regulation and investment.
The initiative was unveiled by Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, during a two-day convening at Warwick Business School (WBS) in London, where policymakers, AI experts, academics, business leaders and civil society representatives gathered to discuss the framework and objectives of the proposed Trust.
According to Tijani, the National AI Trust is expected to provide a governance structure that will enable Nigeria to harness the opportunities presented by AI while addressing concerns around accountability, inclusion and long-term sustainability.
“We aim to become a standard bearer for the world. AI is becoming the operating system for global competition and business evolution. The Trust will ensure Nigeria is part of that transformation,” he said.
The move comes as governments around the world race to establish regulatory frameworks for AI amid growing concerns over the technology’s impact on jobs, privacy, security and economic competitiveness.
