Building inclusive AI literacy for Nigeria’s digital future, by Esther James Killi
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly emerging as a powerful driver of transformation across different sectors, offering unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation. In Nigeria, although AI adoption is still at an early stage, there is increasing recognition of its potential to tackle local challenges and accelerate economic development. This shift in perspective is crucial for adapting AI capabilities to address the specific realities of Nigeria and the broader African continent.
To fully harness these opportunities, AI literacy must be prioritised so that individuals and communities can engage meaningfully with the technology. Yet, in a region where more than 860 million people remain without internet access, gaps in digital literacy highlight a troubling inequality. AI is currently designed and governed by a small, privileged group worldwide, while millions of African communities are excluded from contributing to or shaping tools that directly impact their lives.
This exclusion not only widens information gaps but also prevents marginalised groups—such as women, rural populations, and speakers of indigenous languages—from participating in the digital economy. Without basic digital skills, these groups risk being left out of the AI-driven future. Addressing this requires a comprehensive approach to AI literacy, one that combines technical competencies with social and ethical awareness.
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Such a holistic model would empower people to benefit from AI while also recognising and managing its risks. Global conversations, including those at the World Economic Forum, stress the importance of inclusive strategies that go beyond technical training to address broader socio-economic inequalities.
Equally critical is the localisation of AI to ensure that the technology reflects and serves African realities. This means adapting AI tools to indigenous languages, cultural practices, and local needs, while ensuring that training datasets represent the continent’s diverse populations. In a country as linguistically and culturally varied as Nigeria, localised AI solutions are essential for building trust and ensuring usability.
Inclusive governance is another important requirement for building a fair AI ecosystem. Governments, civil society organisations, and technology companies must work together to create frameworks where multiple voices and perspectives are represented. These frameworks should confront systemic challenges such as gender inequality, rural-urban divides, and a lack of equitable access to resources. National initiatives such as the Nigerian Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics are already playing a role in strengthening local capacity by supporting innovation and research in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education.
One of the greatest obstacles, however, is the existing skills gap in AI across Africa. As many skilled professionals leave for opportunities abroad, the continent risks falling behind. To counter this, it is essential to build local talent pipelines and establish clear standards for measuring digital and AI literacy. Such metrics will help identify where skills are lacking and enable policymakers to track progress, especially among vulnerable groups. Programmes such as the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent initiative and Microsoft’s pledge to train two million people by 2025 are encouraging steps forward.
Still, these efforts must be accompanied by comprehensive reforms in education that embed AI literacy into curricula at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, ensuring the next generation is prepared for a technology-driven world.
Looking ahead, the potential of AI in Nigeria and across Africa is vast. But realising this potential will depend on deliberate investments in education, skills development, and technology localisation. If inclusivity and talent development remain central to the agenda, then AI can become a true tool for empowerment, bridging divides rather than deepening them.
The responsibility now lies with all stakeholders to shape an AI future that reflects the values of equity and access, ensuring that no community is left behind in the unfolding digital revolution.
Esther James Killi is a student of Mass Communication at Muhammadu Buhari University of Maiduguri (formerly the University of Maiduguri), Borno State.
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