Nigeria is taking a bold step in the application of artificial intelligence by using it not only as a driver for economic growth but also as a powerful tool to preserve its indigenous languages. At GITEX Nigeria in Abuja, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, emphasized that the country’s AI efforts are about more than just technology—they are about identity, usability, and enabling Nigerians to interact with AI on their own terms.
A cornerstone of this initiative is the development of a multilingual large language model (LLM) capable of understanding and generating in major Nigerian languages such as Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Tiv, and accented English. This marks a significant departure from most global AI systems, which are predominantly designed around English, and positions Nigeria at the forefront of culturally relevant AI development.
The project is being spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) through its AI and Robotics Centre, in partnership with Lagos-based startup Awarri and the global nonprofit DataDotOrg. It is a key part of Nigeria’s emerging National AI Strategy, which focuses on ecosystem development, education, and responsible frameworks to ensure inclusive innovation.
Importantly, the initiative integrates Nigeria’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, with over 7,000 fellows contributing directly to the development of the LLM. This not only provides a skilled workforce but also ensures that AI development is tied to capacity building and education. The AI Collective, which includes contributions from Lagos Business School and civil society, will further foster collaboration between academia, government, and industry.
Currently supported by \$3.5 million in funding from global partners including UNDP, UNESCO, Meta, Google, and Microsoft, the project demonstrates strong international backing. However, Minister Tijani noted that reliance on donor funding is unsustainable and called for stronger government commitment to ensure the initiative’s long-term success.
If successful, Nigeria’s effort could become a blueprint for other African nations seeking to preserve their cultural and linguistic diversity while harnessing AI for economic and social progress. Beyond preservation, local-language AI has immense potential in education, healthcare, and small business empowerment—bridging the digital divide and ensuring that technology truly speaks the language of the people.
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