By BONIFACE AKARAH

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building an inclusive, innovation-driven artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem with the launch of the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC)-INNOPOWER Free MSMEs AI Master Trainer Programme.

The programme was unveiled in Abuja as stakeholders from government, industry and development organisations gathered at the United Nations House to advance AI adoption among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Delivering the Director-General’s goodwill message, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the Director of Digital Development Services, Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, described artificial intelligence as a transformative force that is already reshaping economies and industries worldwide.

He said the launch of the initiative reflected a shared commitment to equipping MSMEs with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in an AI-driven economy.

“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,” Inuwa said.

The NITDA boss noted that Nigeria has deliberately positioned itself to become an active contributor to global AI development rather than merely consuming technologies developed elsewhere.

“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,” he stated.

According to him, NITDA is implementing the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy to strengthen AI infrastructure, build a world-class innovation ecosystem, accelerate AI adoption across critical sectors, promote responsible AI development, and establish governance structures that ensure the technology serves society responsibly.

Inuwa highlighted several flagship initiatives supporting the strategy, including 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.

He stressed that small businesses remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and stand to benefit significantly from AI through improved productivity, automation and expanded market opportunities.

“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,” he said.

Inuwa commended INNOPOWER and the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition for bringing together stakeholders across the public and private sectors, describing the programme as an important platform for promoting responsible AI adoption, strengthening collaboration and empowering entrepreneurs across Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

He also emphasised the need to develop sovereign digital infrastructure, preserve indigenous languages within AI systems and expand digital literacy so that more Nigerians can participate meaningfully in the country’s digital transformation.

Looking ahead, the NITDA Director-General said Africa must seize the opportunity presented by artificial intelligence by investing in people, infrastructure and innovation.

“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 added.

In his welcome address, Regional President of the ECOWAS Small à Coalition, Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, described the MSME AI Master Trainer Programme as a strategic investment in Africa’s human capital.

He said the Initiative is designed to equip trainers with practical AI skills that will empower entrepreneurs, strengthen MSMEs, create quality jobs and accelerate sustainable industrial development across the region.

Yerima also called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, financial institutions, academia and the private sector to build an AI-driven economy capable of enhancing Africa’s global competitiveness and delivering inclusive economic growth.

•PHOTO: 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