Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, the country’s satellite operator, has called for immediate policy action to harness the potential of artificial intelligence.
The operator warned that the country risks missing out on Africa’s projected $1.2tn share of the global AI economy by 2030.
The call was made by NIGCOMSAT’s Managing Director, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, in a statement issued on Friday following her participation in the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, held in Makurdi, Benue State.
The meeting, organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, was themed “Accelerating the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence through Policy and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections that it will contribute up to $15.7tn to the global economy by 2030. Africa stands to gain $1.2tn of this if the right policies and innovations are in place,” Egerton-Idehen said, citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
The NIGCOMSAT MD underscored the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, highlighting its applicability in Benue State, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket.”
According to her, machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly,” she added.
Egerton-Idehen noted that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria.
She pointed to data showing that as of early 2024, only 45.5 per cent of Nigerians had access to the internet.
“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority,” she said, stressing the need for a coordinated effort to expand access to digital infrastructure while enforcing relevant policies.
Reflecting on the discussions at the meeting, Egerton-Idehen expressed both optimism and urgency, noting the rapid pace of AI advancements globally.
“AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance,” she said.
In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI.
The draft strategy outlines strategic pillars for responsible AI development and seeks to foster a robust ecosystem for innovation.
This initiative builds on earlier efforts, including the establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in 2020 and various funding programs for AI research and startups.
While the NAIS is still in draft form, it reflects Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging AI as a transformative tool for economic and social development.
-By Justice Okamgba