The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to building an inclusive, innovation-driven artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, as stakeholders from government, industry and development organisations gathered in Abuja for the launch of the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC)-INNOPOWER Free MSMEs AI Master Trainer Programme.
Speaking at the event held at the United Nations House in Abuja, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, said artificial intelligence has become a transformative force that is reshaping economies, industries and societies across the world.
Represented by the Director of Digital Development Services, Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, Inuwa described the launch of the programme as a reflection of the shared commitment by stakeholders to equip Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the knowledge and skills required to compete in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
He said the initiative comes at a critical time, noting that artificial intelligence is no longer a technology of the future but a defining force of the present that is transforming how governments, businesses and societies create value.
According to him, the rapid evolution of AI presents Nigeria with a unique opportunity to emerge as a producer of innovative solutions rather than remain a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
He explained that NITDA is implementing the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy to strengthen AI infrastructure, foster a world-class innovation ecosystem, accelerate AI adoption across critical sectors, promote responsible and trustworthy AI development, and establish a governance framework that ensures the technology is deployed responsibly.
“Nigeria has made a deliberate choice. Rather than remain a passive consumer of AI built elsewhere, we are building the foundations to become an active contributor to the global AI ecosystem,” he said.
Inuwa said the agency’s strategic investments in digital infrastructure, indigenous AI capabilities and human capital development are being driven through initiatives such as the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the Nigeria AI Collective, the N-ATLAS multilingual large language model, the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative.
He noted that the MSME AI Master Trainer Programme would enable small businesses, which remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, to harness artificial intelligence for improved productivity, business automation and expanded market opportunities.
The NITDA boss stressed that Africa’s success in the AI economy would depend not only on technological advancement but also on sustained investments in people, institutions and strategic partnerships.
“The countries that lead the AI economy will not be those that consume the most AI solutions, but those that cultivate talent, build infrastructure and create ecosystems where innovation can flourish responsibly,” he stated.
He commended INNOPOWER and the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition for convening stakeholders from the public and private sectors, describing the initiative as a critical platform for advancing responsible AI adoption, strengthening collaboration and empowering entrepreneurs across Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region.
Inuwa also underscored the need for Nigeria to develop sovereign digital infrastructure, preserve indigenous languages within AI systems and deepen digital literacy to ensure that every Nigerian can participate meaningfully in the country’s digital transformation.
Looking ahead, he said Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its technological evolution and must seize the opportunity to become a creator of AI solutions rather than merely a consumer.
He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to collaborating with partners across government, industry and academia to build a resilient and globally competitive AI ecosystem.
“History shows that every technological revolution reshapes the global balance of power. The nations that prosper are not always those with the greatest resources, but those with the foresight to invest in their people and build ecosystems that turn ideas into prosperity,” he added.
Earlier, the Regional President of the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition, Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, described the MSME AI Master Trainer Programme as a strategic investment in Africa’s human capital.
According to him, the initiative is designed to equip trainers with practical AI skills that will empower entrepreneurs, strengthen MSMEs across the region, expand economic opportunities, create quality jobs and accelerate sustainable industrial development.
He urged participants to apply the knowledge acquired to transform their businesses and called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, financial institutions, academia and the private sector to build an AI-driven economy capable of enhancing Africa’s global competitiveness and delivering inclusive economic growth.
