The Federal government have signed an agreement with Bill Gate Foundation to establish AI Scale Up Nigeria, backed by $7.5 million in funding and expertise from the Foundation.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement in Abuja, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said that the initiative would help accelerate the application of AI in healthcare, agriculture, and education, areas where impact matters most to everyday Nigerians.
Tijani explained that the moment meant a lot personally and nationally.He expressed appreciation for the trust, collaboration, and shared belief that Nigeria could lead not just in adopting technology, but in shaping it to solve real problems.”
Just a few weeks before I was appointed Minister, I had the privilege of moderating a powerful conversation with Bill Gates and young African innovators.”
AI featured strongly that day alongside a clear call to strengthen the innovation ecosystem to unlock Africa’s full potential.”
Today, mid-way into President Bola Tinubu’s administration, I had the honour of welcoming Mr. Gates, Paulin Basinga, Uche Ofodile, and the incredible Gates Foundation team to my office.”
Our conversation was rich , anchored on two pillars critical to Nigeria’s future: connectivity and artificial intelligence,” he said.
