MacArthur Foundation, Dataphyte, UNILAG Rally Stakeholders on Inclusive AI Development in Nigeria

The MacArthur Foundation, in partnership with Dataphyte Foundation and the University of Lagos, has convened a stakeholder dialogue aimed at promoting inclusive, safe and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development in Nigeria. The one-day event, held at the University of Lagos on May 25, brought together policymakers, researchers, technologists, academics, civil society actors and media practitioners […]

The MacArthur Foundation, in partnership with Dataphyte Foundation and the University of Lagos, has convened a stakeholder dialogue aimed at promoting inclusive, safe and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) development in Nigeria.

The one-day event, held at the University of Lagos on May 25, brought together policymakers, researchers, technologists, academics, civil society actors and media practitioners to examine opportunities and challenges associated with AI development and explore strategies for building a more inclusive ecosystem.

The dialogue comes as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its position within Africa’s growing AI landscape, amid increasing recognition of the technology’s potential to improve public service delivery, drive innovation and address development challenges.

Participants noted that while Nigeria has recorded progress through local-language AI innovations and emerging policy frameworks promoting ethical AI, several challenges remain. These include weak governance structures, inadequate safeguards against AI-related risks, limited research capacity, poor coordination among stakeholders, weak data governance systems and the underrepresentation of local languages and subnational priorities.

Speaking during the opening session, Africa Director of the MacArthur Foundation, Kole Shettima, stressed the importance of ensuring Nigeria remains central to global conversations on artificial intelligence.

He said meaningful progress in AI development would require the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives, adding that policies and innovations must reflect the realities of communities across the country.

Shettima also described the University of Lagos as a key innovation hub capable of driving inclusive AI development in Nigeria.

The event featured a panel discussion involving experts from academia, research institutions, policy organisations, civil society groups, AI startups and talent development platforms.

Moderating the session, Country Director of Dataphyte Foundation, Oluseyi Olufemi, called for stronger coordination and sustainability within Nigeria’s AI ecosystem.

According to him, discussions around innovation, policy, research and safety must be grounded in the country’s social, economic and cultural realities.

Representing Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), Nissa Madu, emphasised the need for deliberate investment in underserved communities to ensure inclusive AI development. She advocated co-creating solutions with local communities and establishing systems that can retain Nigerian AI talent.

Also speaking, Dr. Femi Obidare, representing the Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, highlighted the need for stronger coordination mechanisms, wider stakeholder participation and measurable impact frameworks to enhance public trust and attract sustained government investment in AI.

On AI safety, Executive Director of AI Safety Nigeria, Ayuba Tudolo, urged policymakers to develop governance frameworks that reflect local realities and address risks specific to Nigerians.

He advocated the establishment of dedicated institutions, sustainable funding mechanisms and community-driven approaches to identifying and mitigating AI-related harms.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor at the University of Lagos and Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing specialist, Victor Odomuyiwa, said Nigeria’s quest for AI sovereignty would depend on sustained investment in local-language technologies, academic research, open-source innovation and indigenous digital infrastructure.

At the end of the dialogue, participants agreed that building an AI ecosystem that is innovative, safe and inclusive would require sustained collaboration among government, academia, industry, civil society organisations and development partners.

They also pledged to continue engagements through collaborative research, policy advocacy and the creation of platforms capable of translating recommendations into measurable actions, while ensuring that the benefits of AI reach communities across Nigeria regardless of geography, language or socioeconomic background.