CITAD Urges Nigeria to Develop Indigenous AI Tech

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged the federal government to prioritize investment in indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) technology and enhance data sovereignty to decrease Nigeria’s reliance on foreign technology providers.

Malam Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, the Executive Director of CITAD, emphasized the need for Nigeria to transition from acquiring AI products and services from international firms to developing and owning the technology locally, to foster innovation and tackle governance issues.

Ya’u also highlighted challenges in Nigeria’s data management systems, stating that much of the country’s data is stored in analogue formats and fragmented systems, which hampers the development and control of local AI technology.