Nigeria’s Readiness for Artificial Intelligence: Promise and Pitfalls

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Nigeria’s Readiness for Artificial Intelligence: Promise and Pitfalls

Nigeria’s journey toward artificial intelligence readiness is a story of ambition, progress, and lingering challenges. In recent years, the country has made notable strides in positioning itself as a player in the global AI landscape.

According to the Oxford Government AI Readiness Index 2025, Nigeria climbed from 103rd place in 2023 to 72nd out of 195 countries, marking one of the most significant leaps worldwide. 

This 31-place jump reflects a growing commitment by government, industry, and academia to harness AI for economic growth and public service reform.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria now ranks fourth, trailing Kenya, South Africa, and Mauritius, but still ahead of many of its regional peers.

The government’s role has been pivotal. Under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria has begun laying the groundwork for AI infrastructure, policy frameworks, and governance structures.

These efforts signal a shift from being a passive consumer of imported technologies to actively building capacity for homegrown solutions. Initiatives such as AI-enabled healthcare platforms demonstrate how the technology is already being applied to pressing national challenges. In healthcare, for instance,

AI tools are helping to bridge gaps caused by an overstretched workforce and limited diagnostic resources, offering faster analysis and improved patient outcomes.

Yet, readiness is not simply about rankings or pilot projects. Nigeria faces structural hurdles that could slow its AI ambitions. One major issue is regulation. 

While the country has made progress in digital policy, its copyright and intellectual property laws remain ill-prepared for the complexities of AI-generated content.

This legal vacuum raises questions about ownership, accountability, and innovation in a future where machines increasingly contribute to creative and commercial outputs. Without clear frameworks, Nigeria risks stifling innovation or facing disputes that undermine trust in AI systems.

Infrastructure also remains uneven. Reliable electricity, broadband penetration, and access to advanced computing resources are still limited in many parts of the country. These deficiencies could hinder the scalability of AI solutions beyond urban centers.

Moreover, public trust and awareness of AI remain fragile. While some sectors embrace the promise of AI, skepticism persists among citizens who worry about job displacement, data privacy, and ethical misuse. 

Building confidence will require transparent governance, inclusive policies, and education that demystifies AI for the wider population.

Despite these challenges, Nigeria’s trajectory is encouraging. The country’s leap in global rankings is not just symbolic; it reflects genuine momentum in policy, innovation, and adoption. 

If Nigeria can consolidate its gains by strengthening regulation, expanding infrastructure, and fostering public trust, it could emerge as a leader in AI within Africa.

The stakes are high: AI offers opportunities to transform healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, but only if readiness translates into sustainable implementation.

Nigeria stands at a crossroads where ambition must meet execution, and where the promise of artificial intelligence must be balanced against the realities of its socio-economic landscape.