Microsoft has called on Nigeria to accelerate the adoption and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive national development, improve public service delivery, and strengthen economic competitiveness.
The call was made at the Microsoft AI Summit Nigeria, a high-level gathering of policymakers, technology leaders, regulators, and innovators focused on advancing the practical deployment of AI across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
Speaking at the summit, Barr. Emmanuel Edet, Acting Director of the Regulations and Compliance Department of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), represented the agency’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to supporting the responsible development and adoption of AI in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The summit, convened by Microsoft and organised in partnership with MTN Nigeria and NITDA, provided a platform for stakeholders to explore how Nigeria can move beyond AI policy formulation into practical implementation and measurable impact.
According to Edet, Nigeria already has a strong policy foundation for AI, including the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), the open-source N-ATLAS multilingual model, and the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025.
He noted that the next phase requires effective execution, including stronger regulatory frameworks, improved digital infrastructure, governance systems, and institutional capacity to support the deployment of AI solutions that enhance public service delivery and national development.
Discussions at the summit focused on equipping ministries, departments, and agencies with the tools and frameworks needed to adopt AI responsibly while leveraging it to improve efficiency, innovation, and decision-making.
Participants also explored collaboration between government institutions, technology companies, regulators, and innovators to accelerate AI adoption across sectors of the economy.
NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening digital governance, and creating an enabling environment for emerging technologies to thrive.
The agency said sustained investment in AI and digital technologies would drive economic growth, improve public sector efficiency, and promote inclusive prosperity for Nigerians.
