NGO launches project to promote AI literacy, ethics in Nigeria
The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has launched a national project aimed at equipping Nigerians with essential knowledge, safety awareness, and ethical understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), in line with the Federal Government’s newly introduced curriculum for basic and senior secondary schools. The initiative, titled “AI Literacy for Everyday People,” was unveiled on Wednesday […]
The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has launched a national project aimed at equipping Nigerians with essential knowledge, safety awareness, and ethical understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), in line with the Federal Government’s newly introduced curriculum for basic and senior secondary schools.
The initiative, titled “AI Literacy for Everyday People,” was unveiled on Wednesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Hall in Osogbo, Osun State. The event drew participants from the media, Federal and State Ministries of Education, civil society organisations, educators, and innovation partners.
Speaking at the launch, BBYDI’s Communication Director, Mr. Sanni Alausa Issa, described the project as a national effort to make artificial intelligence “understandable, usable, safe, and ethical for all Nigerians, regardless of age, education, or location.”
He said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s reformed curriculum that promotes creativity, skills acquisition, and values-based education.
“This is the Nigeria we have always envisioned — a country where education keeps pace with global progress and where technology is guided by ethics, safety, and inclusion,” Issa stated.
He explained that the programme is anchored on four key pillars — Understanding, Use, Safety, and Ethics — designed to help Nigerians adopt and engage with AI responsibly.
“Technology in the wrong hands can deepen inequality and spread misinformation. Our mission is to ensure Nigerians understand AI, use it productively, apply it safely, and uphold ethics in its use,” he said.
The initiative includes several components such as framework and curriculum integration, a radio drama series in Yoruba, Pidgin, and Hausa to simplify AI concepts, flashcards for primary pupils, storybooks for secondary students, and train-the-trainer sessions for teachers, parents, and youth champions.
Other elements include the development of Nigeria’s first AI Blueprint and an essay competition for tertiary students to encourage critical thinking and innovation.
Issa noted that a validation workshop for the AI Literacy Curriculum was recently held at the University of Ilorin, where experts and educators reviewed materials for national adaptation.
He said BBYDI’s strategy combines policy engagement, community education, and storytelling to ensure AI knowledge reaches all Nigerians.
“A farmer in Kwara can learn about AI-assisted weather forecasts in Yoruba; a student in Osun can understand digital safety through flashcards; and a parent can engage with AI ethics through relatable stories,” he explained.
Issa reaffirmed BBYDI’s partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and state agencies to ensure effective implementation of AI education across the country.
“Our project complements the new curriculum. It turns policy into practice — one school, one teacher, one community at a time,” he added.
He also called on the media to amplify stories of innovation and inclusion, encouraging public understanding of AI’s positive potential.
BBYDI aims to reach 100,000 learners — including teachers, students, parents, and artisans — within the first year of implementation, with plans for nationwide expansion.
Issa concluded by acknowledging the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation for supporting the initiative, saying:
“The future of AI in Nigeria does not belong to machines; it belongs to our people — their ethics, creativity, imagination, and courage to use technology for good.”