Reimagining AI Development in Nigeria: Federal Government to Foster AI Communities.

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) developers' communities across Nigeria. This strategic initiative aims to shape the future of technology in the country, as announced by Mr Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of NITDA, during a gathering of instructors and beneficiaries of the NITDA AI Developers Training (NAIDT) program in Abuja.

The NAIDT program, organized by NITDA in partnership with Google Developers Group (GDG) through its subsidiary, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), has successfully completed its pilot phase in Abuja and will soon be replicated in other states. Mr Inuwa envisions creating a nationwide community of developers where individuals can acquire knowledge, share insights, and ultimately, make a significant societal impact.

Mr Inuwa further expressed his belief that Nigeria's most valuable asset lies in its human capital. He plans to commence the expansion of AI developer communities in three states this year and gradually extend the program to other states and local government areas. This initiative aligns with the government's digitization agenda and will contribute to the overall vision of fostering a thriving AI ecosystem in Nigeria.

The NAIDT platform holds immense potential for developing indigenous super applications, such as generative AI and language modeling. Mr Inuwa suggested exploring Proof-of-Concept (POC) opportunities with NITDA to demonstrate the platform's capabilities and subsequently scale it across various government sectors. This would not only support the government's digitization efforts but also propel Nigeria forward in the global AI landscape.

The NAIDT training program, which has been running for a year, aims to train one million developers under the theme "Learn, Teach, and Earn." As outlined by Mr Ya'u Garba, the National Director of NCAIR, the training consists of three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. The Basic level focuses on fundamental programming skills, particularly in Python, which is the language of choice in scientific applications. The Intermediate level equips participants with the necessary skills to embark on their IT journey, while the Advanced level offers problem-based training for those seeking to advance further.

The Google Developers Group (GDG), represented by Mr Ibrahim Muhammed, expressed gratitude to the Director-General and NITDA for their unwavering support throughout the training program. This collaborative effort has not only produced instructors and startups but has also created job opportunities for the program's participants.

Since its inception, the NAIDT program has successfully trained and empowered 1,227 beneficiaries across 10 cohorts. Through a comprehensive curriculum and a series of coaching sessions and lectures, participants have developed their programming skills in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

In conclusion, the Federal Government's commitment to building AI developers' communities across Nigeria marks an important step towards fostering technological innovation and human capital development. By providing a platform for knowledge sharing and skills enhancement, this initiative will undoubtedly contribute to Nigeria's digital transformation journey and position the country as a key player in the global AI landscape.