AI Could Be Nigeria’s Biggest Wealth Creator – NITDA
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to become Nigeria’s biggest source of wealth creation if properly developed and adopted across key sectors of the economy.
The agency explained that Nigeria is at a critical point where global technological shifts are redefining how nations generate income, stressing that countries that fail to invest in AI risk falling behind in the new digital economy.
According to NITDA, Nigeria’s biggest advantage is not its natural resources but its young, creative and digitally active population, which can drive innovation in technology, agriculture, education, healthcare and other industries.
Officials noted that AI is already transforming global economies by improving productivity, reducing costs and creating new business opportunities, adding that Nigeria must take advantage of the trend to diversify its economy.
The agency also pointed out that with the right policies, investment in digital infrastructure and skills development, AI could significantly boost job creation and entrepreneurship among young Nigerians.
NITDA emphasized that Nigeria must focus on building local AI solutions that reflect its unique challenges, including language diversity, governance needs and economic realities.
Experts say the adoption of AI could open new revenue streams for startups and businesses, especially in areas like automation, data analysis, digital services and smart agriculture.
However, they also warned that challenges such as digital literacy gaps, infrastructure limitations and funding constraints must be addressed to fully unlock the sector’s potential.
The agency called for stronger collaboration between government, private sector and educational institutions to ensure Nigerians are equipped with the skills needed for the future of work.
As AI continues to reshape the global economy, NITDA maintains that Nigeria has a unique opportunity to position itself as a leading player in Africa’s digital transformation.