DG NITDA’s rep, Director Digital Development Services, Mr Oladejo Olawunmi, giving his goodwill message at the Official Launch of the ESBC/Innopower Free MSMEs AI Training Programme held in Abuja .
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building an inclusive, innovation-driven artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem as stakeholders from government, industry and development organisations converged in Abuja for the official launch of the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC)-INNOPOWER Free MSMEs AI Master Trainer Programme.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, described artificial intelligence as a transformative force whose impact is already being felt across the globe, at the event held at the United Nations House, Abuja.
The DG, was represented by the Director of Digital Development Services, Mr Oladejo Olawunmi, in his good will message said the launch signaled a shared commitment to equipping MSMEs with knowledge and skills. These resources are needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy.
The initiative comes at a critical time, stressing that “Artificial Intelligence is no longer a technology of the future but a defining force of the present, reshaping economies, transforming industries and redefining how governments, businesses and societies create value, he noted.
According to him, the rapid evolution of AI presents Nigeria with an opportunity to position itself as a producer of innovative solutions rather than merely a consumer of emerging technologies. He explained that NITDA is implementing the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy to strengthen AI infrastructure, foster a world-class innovation ecosystem, accelerate AI adoption across critical sectors, promote responsible and trustworthy AI development, and establish a governance framework that ensures AI serves humanity responsibly.
Highlighting the philosophy driving the strategy, he said that “Nigeria has made a deliberate choice, rather than remain a passive consumer of AI built elsewhere, we are building the foundations to become an active contributor to the global AI ecosystem.”
Inuwa also underscored the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, indigenous AI capabilities and human capital, noting that initiatives such as the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), the Nigeria AI Collective, the N-ATLAS multilingual large language model, the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative are all designed to prepare Nigerians for the opportunities of the digital economy.
Speaking on the importance of the MSME AI Master Trainer Programme, the DG said small businesses remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and stand to benefit immensely from AI adoption through improved productivity, automation and expanded market opportunities.
He maintained that the success of Africa’s AI journey would depend not only on technology but on investments in people, institutions and partnerships, adding that “the countries that lead the AI economy will not be those that consume the most AI solutions, but those that cultivate talent, build infrastructure, and create ecosystems where innovation can flourish responsibly.”
Commending INNOPOWER and the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition for bringing together stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, he described the initiative as an important platform for advancing responsible AI adoption, strengthening collaboration and empowering entrepreneurs across Nigeria and the wider ECOWAS region.
He further stressed the need to develop sovereign digital infrastructure, preserve indigenous languages within AI systems and expand digital literacy so that every Nigerian can participate meaningfully in the country’s digital transformation journey.
Looking ahead, Inuwa said Africa stands at a defining moment in its technological evolution and must seize the opportunity to become a builder of AI solutions rather than simply a consumer. He emphasised that NITDA remains committed to working with partners across government, industry and academia to build a resilient and globally competitive AI ecosystem.
“History shows that every technological revolution reshapes the global balance of power. The nations that prosper are not always those with the greatest resources, but those with the foresight to invest in their people and build ecosystems that turn ideas into prosperity,” he concluded.
In his welcome address, the Regional President of the ESBC, Dr Abdulrashid Yerima described the MSME AI Master Trainer Programme as a strategic investment in Africa’s human capital, aimed at equipping trainers with practical AI skills to empower entrepreneurs and strengthen MSMEs across the region.
He said the initiative would expand economic opportunities, create quality jobs and accelerate sustainable industrial development, while urging participants to leverage the knowledge gained to transform their businesses.
He also called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, financial institutions, academia and the private sector to build an AI-driven economy that enhances Africa’s global competitiveness and delivers inclusive economic growth.
