Microsoft tasks Nigeria on operationalising AI for tangible impact
Microsoft Urges Nigeria to Translate AI Policies into Real-World Impact
Microsoft has called on Nigeria to move beyond developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) policies and focus on implementing practical solutions that generate measurable benefits across government, industry, and society.
Speaking at the AI Summit Nigeria held in Abuja on Tuesday, Microsoft’s Director of Government Affairs for West Africa, Nonye Ujam, emphasized the need to operationalise AI to achieve tangible outcomes.
The summit, themed “From Policy to Progress: Accelerating Responsible AI Adoption for Nigeria’s Digital Decade,” was jointly organised by Microsoft, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and MTN. It brought together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to explore pathways for expanding responsible AI adoption across the country.
Ujam noted that Nigeria has demonstrated leadership in advancing AI through initiatives such as the National AI Strategy, data governance frameworks, and regulatory reforms. According to her, these efforts are positioning the country not only as a participant in the global AI economy but also as a contributor to shaping its future.
She stressed that the next phase should focus on converting policy ambitions into meaningful impact through effective implementation.
“As attention shifts from strategy to execution, the priority must be to transform AI ambitions into practical outcomes that deliver measurable value,” she said. “Achieving this will require strong governance structures, reliable infrastructure, robust systems, and the institutional capacity needed to deploy AI at scale.”
Ujam further highlighted the importance of ensuring that AI development is guided by principles such as fairness, safety, reliability, privacy, security, transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability, noting that these values are essential for building public trust.
She described AI as a strategic tool capable of strengthening national capabilities and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy. According to her, the technology can drive inclusive growth by enhancing public service delivery, expanding access to knowledge, boosting productivity, and creating opportunities on a larger scale.
“Trusted AI must be developed through collaboration, rooted in local realities, aligned with national priorities, and driven by the public interest,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa, represented by Emmanuel Edet, Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, described AI as a transformative technology with the potential to reshape every sector of the economy.
He stated that Nigeria possesses the talent and capacity required to become a major force in Africa’s AI ecosystem, while emphasizing that public trust remains critical to the technology’s long-term success.
“Without trust, AI adoption will be limited. Without accountability, innovation cannot scale sustainably, and without transparency, citizens will lose confidence in the systems intended to serve them,” he said. “This is why Nigeria’s AI strategy is firmly rooted in responsible AI principles.”
Inuwa also underscored the importance of digital sovereignty, arguing that Nigeria must move beyond being a consumer of AI technologies developed elsewhere.
“We must become creators of intelligence that reflects our realities and supports our aspirations. This requires investing in local talent, strengthening research institutions, and creating an enabling environment where Nigerian and African innovations can thrive,” he said.
“The future of AI should not simply unfold in Africa—Africa must play a central role in shaping it.”
The summit featured discussions on regulatory frameworks for government AI deployment, digital sovereignty, and the balance between control, collaboration, and innovation across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Participants included representatives from the Nigeria Customs Service, National Identity Management Commission, Galaxy Backbone, as well as several other public and private sector organisations.