Nigeria has recorded a major milestone in artificial intelligence governance, emerging as the highest ranked African nation in the second edition of the Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI).
The country placed 38th globally with an overall score of 45.93, marking a dramatic rise from its 80th position and score of 7.21 in the inaugural 2024 ranking.
The latest assessment places Nigeria ahead of every other African country evaluated, with Egypt occupying the continent’s second position.
The improvement highlights Nigeria’s growing influence in promoting responsible, ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence development both in Africa and on the global stage.
Compiled by the Global Center on AI Governance, the Global Index on Responsible AI is regarded as one of the world’s most comprehensive assessments of responsible AI governance.
The report measures how countries are preparing for the future of AI by evaluating their performance across five key areas: inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, labour and skills, trust and safety, and AI deployment in public services.
The rankings are based on extensive research that examines government policies, institutional frameworks and contributions from non-state actors in building responsible AI ecosystems.
Nigeria’s strong performance reflects the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to position the country as more than just a consumer of emerging technologies.
In recent years, the government has intensified initiatives aimed at strengthening AI governance, expanding digital infrastructure and developing local talent capable of driving innovation.
Through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, several initiatives have been introduced, including the development of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), investments in digital public infrastructure, expanded technology skills programmes and stronger governance frameworks for emerging technologies.
The government has also deepened international collaborations designed to ensure AI is deployed responsibly while delivering broad economic and social benefits.
These initiatives have helped position Nigeria as one of the leading voices from the Global South in conversations around the future of artificial intelligence governance.
Reacting to the achievement, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, described the recognition as validation of Nigeria’s long-term commitment to building a responsible AI ecosystem.
According to him, the country’s objective is not only to participate in the global AI revolution but also to contribute meaningfully to shaping international standards for the governance and deployment of the technology.
He noted that government remains focused on investing in digital infrastructure, developing skilled talent and creating enabling policies that will allow artificial intelligence to drive economic growth while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
Beyond Nigeria’s improved ranking, the report identified the country as one of the world’s AI “Bright Spots” for combining AI literacy initiatives with stronger safeguards for children and vulnerable groups in the digital environment.
The report noted that Nigeria is among the few African nations implementing deliberate policies that simultaneously promote AI education while protecting citizens from the risks associated with emerging technologies.
It specifically highlighted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for prioritising AI literacy across different sectors of society through teacher training, capacity-building programmes and broader digital education initiatives.
The report also recognised the Federal Government’s flagship 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme for expanding access to artificial intelligence and machine learning training nationwide through a hybrid learning model targeted at young Nigerians.
In addition, Nigeria received commendation for strengthening legal protections around children’s digital rights through the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025.
According to the report, these regulations provide stronger safeguards for children’s personal data and prohibit decisions based solely on automated processing systems.
The Index concluded that Nigeria’s approach demonstrates how countries can simultaneously prepare citizens for an AI-driven future while implementing policies that reduce potential risks associated with emerging technologies.
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of international achievements for Nigeria in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Earlier this year, the country moved up 31 places in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, climbing from 103rd to 72nd position globally, reflecting improvements in AI policy development and institutional readiness.
Nigeria’s progress has also attracted international recognition, with Dr. Bosun Tijani receiving acknowledgment from TIME Magazine for his contributions to advancing responsible AI and digital transformation across Africa.
