Bosun Tijani unveils 45 recipients of National AI research grants

Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani has unveiled the roster of 45 awardees selected for the National AI Research Grant Scheme (NAIRS). This was revealed in a post made by the minister late on Tuesday night. The awardees emerged following a thorough assessment, aided by 25 esteemed Nigerian AI experts from around the world. The panel identified outstanding proposals from individuals excelling in AI research across diverse sectors.

These researchers, spanning healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education, are poised to elevate Nigeria’s tech scene globally. Their proposals address critical challenges, promising to transform industries, empower communities, and open doors to a future brimming with possibilities.

Bosun Tijani calls for top researchers to join the National AI strategy

Four months ago, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani invited top researchers, both Nigerians and non-Nigerians, who possessed experience in working within the Nigerian market to join the research for a National AI strategy. 

Tijani was seeking their expertise to contribute to the development of an improved strategy for fostering technological innovation. According to him, the goal was to enhance the tech landscape by incorporating insights from those who had previously engaged with the Nigerian market, ultimately leading to more effective and impactful innovations in the field of technology.

In his words, ”We’re curating a list of the top researchers of Nigerian descent from all over the world to join us in co-creating a National AI Strategy. The strategy will help shape our approach to building innovative tech solutions to our most pressing national problems”.

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Nigeria’s national AI strategy 

The objective of the strategy is to attain certain goals. Leveraging the groundwork laid out by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in the creation of a National AI strategy, Tijani Bosun expressed in a statement the government’s intention to broaden its collaborative method and aims to involve prominent AI researchers of Nigerian origin worldwide in the development of a National AI Strategy.

AI strategy in Nigeria holds the potential for various transformative impacts. Regarding agriculture, AI-powered technologies can revolutionize farming practices, elevate crop yields, and bolster food security. In the healthcare sector, AI is a catalyst for advancements, aiding in disease diagnosis, drug discovery, personalized medicine, and remote patient monitoring, enhancing overall healthcare services.

Financial inclusion takes centre stage as AI facilitates the provision of financial services to underserved populations through avenues like mobile banking, digital payments, and credit scoring. The prospect of smart cities comes into focus, where AI contributes to intelligent traffic management, energy optimization, efficient waste management, and improved urban planning.

Education sees a boost as AI-powered tools offer personalized learning experiences, addressing gaps in access to education. In environmental conservation, AI emerges as a valuable asset for monitoring and managing environmental factors such as air and water quality, thereby contributing to sustainability efforts.

On the cybersecurity front, AI takes the lead in identifying and responding to threats in real-time, critical infrastructure, and safeguarding sensitive data. Moreover, AI holds the potential to enhance government efficiency by streamlining administrative processes, reducing bureaucracy, and improving service delivery.

Looking beyond national borders, a robust AI strategy can position Nigeria as a global AI research, development, and innovation player. This not only fosters international collaborations and partnerships but also enhances the country’s global competitiveness in the dynamic field of artificial intelligence.

Read More: Nigeria’s minister of innovation Bosun Tijani calls for top researchers to join the National AI strategy