ABUJA, Nigeria, September 2, 2025/APO Group: The inaugural GITEX NIGERIA Government Leadership & AI Summit was hosted in Abuja that brought together the region’s most prominent government and private-sector leadership to discuss on ways to forgo Africa’s digital future.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon Bosun Tijani, addressed global leaders on Africa’s digital future at the Summit. He told: “Across the world, nations are harnessing AI to automate processes, analyse data, and optimise resources in ways we could not imagine a decade ago. While others internationally grow more productive and drive unprecedented cross-sector efficiencies, parts of our own economies risk losing its competitiveness if we fail to act. Those ahead will accelerate; those behind will fall further. Africa must not treat AI as an afterthought and be a consumer-centric continent importing food, services, and innovation; we must produce, lead, and innovate. That is why Artificial Intelligence (AI) must sit at the very centre of our strategy. As leaders, we must collaborate, invest, and take defining decisions that ensure Africa shapes – not follows – the future of artificial intelligence.”
On the other hand, the Governor of Lagos State commented: “As we gather at GITEX NIGERIA, we have a unique opportunity to define the nation’s place in the future of artificial intelligence. With our vibrant, youthful population and a proven track record of attracting significant investment, Lagos is not just ambitious—we are a resilient state actively building the digital infrastructure and scaling the startups needed to turn policy into progress. This is a moment for global tech leaders to see Africa not merely as a market, but as a co-creator in this revolution. By providing the enabling framework, we can harness AI to address our most pressing challenges and lead our people out of economic hardship.”
Elaborating on the indispensable nature of AI in Nigeria’s digital future, Director-General/CEO of NITDA Kashifu Abdullahi stressed upon its projected global economic value.“We stand on the cusp of a new industrial revolution powered by AI – one where tasks are automated, diseases are cured, and deeper human connections are created. Epoch AI projects automation could grow the world economy by 20 percent, doubling output within five years. This emphasises that no nation can afford to be left behind in this revolution, for those who lead in AI will shape the future. To benefit fully, we must build capacity across policy, infrastructure, computing, and above all, human capital,” he said.
