Nigeria

Nigeria sets sights on top 50 AI-ready nations

Nigeria has pledged to become one of the top 50 AI-ready nations, according to presidential adviser Hadiza Usman. Speaking in Abuja at a colloquium on AI policy, she said the country needs strong leadership, investment, and partnerships to meet its goals.

She stressed that policies must address Nigeria’s unique challenges and not simply replicate foreign models. The government will offer collaboration opportunities with local institutions and international partners.

The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Commission reinforced its support, noting that technology should secure depositors without restricting innovators.

Private sector voices said AI could transform healthcare, agriculture, and public services if policies are designed with inclusion and trust in mind.

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Nigeria drafts framework for AI use in governance and services

According to the IT regulator, Nigeria is preparing a national framework to guide responsible use of AI in governance, healthcare, education and agriculture.

NITDA Director General Kashifu Abdullahi told a policy lecture in Abuja that AI could accelerate economic transformation if properly harnessed. He emphasised that Nigeria’s youthful population should move from being consumers to becoming innovators and creators.

He urged stakeholders to view automation as an opportunity to generate jobs, highlighting that over 60% of Nigerians are under 25. Abdullahi described this demographic as a key asset in positioning the nation for global competitiveness.

Meanwhile, a joint report from the Digital Education Council and the Global Finance & Technology Network found that AI boosts productivity, though adoption remains uneven. It warned of a growing divide between organisations that use AI effectively and those falling behind.

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Foreign cybercrime cells thrive in Nigeria

Nigeria’s anti-fraud agency had 194 foreign nationals in custody in 2024, prosecuting 146 for their roles in cyber-enabled financial crimes, highlighting a robust response to a growing threat.

December alone saw nearly 800 arrests in Lagos, targeting romance and cryptocurrency investment scams featuring foreign ringleaders from China and the Philippines. In one case, 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino suspects were detained.

These groups established complex fraud operations in major Nigerian cities, using fake identities and training local recruits, often unaware of the ultimate scheme. Investigations also flagged cryptocurrency-fuelled money laundering and arms trafficking, pointing to wider national security risks.

EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede warned that regulatory failures, such as visa oversight and unchecked office space leasing, facilitated foreign crime cells.

National and continental collaboration, tighter visa control, and strengthened cybercrime frameworks will be key to dismantling these networks and securing Nigeria’s digital economy.

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AI’s future in banking depends on local solutions and trust

According to leading industry voices, banks and financial institutions are expected to play a central role in accelerating AI adoption across African markets.

Experts at the ACAMB stakeholders’ conference in Lagos stressed the need for region-specific AI solutions to meet Africa’s unique financial needs.

Niyi Yusuf, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, highlighted AI’s evolution since the 1950s and its growing influence on modern banking.

He called for AI algorithms tailored to local challenges, rather than relying on those designed for advanced economies.

Yusuf noted that banks have long used AI to enhance efficiency and reduce fraud, but warned that customer trust must remain at the heart of digital transformation. He said the success of future innovations depends on preserving transparency and safeguarding data.

Professor Pius Olarenwaju of the CIBN described AI as a general-purpose technology driving the fourth industrial revolution. He warned that resisting adoption would risk excluding stakeholders from the future of financial services.

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Fake video claims Nigeria is sending troops to Israel

A video circulating on TikTok falsely claims that Nigeria has announced the deployment of troops to Israel. Since 17 June, the video has been shared more than 6,100 times and presents a fabricated news segment constructed from artificial intelligence-generated visuals and outdated footage.

No official Nigerian authority has made any such announcement regarding military involvement in the ongoing Middle East crisis.

The video, attributed to a fictitious media outlet called ‘TBC News’, combines visuals of soldiers and aircraft with simulated newsroom graphics. However, no broadcaster by that name exists, and the logo and branding do not correspond to any known or legitimate media source.

Upon closer inspection, several anomalies suggest the use of generative AI. The news presenter’s appearance subtly shifts throughout the segment — with clothing changes, facial inconsistencies, and robotic voiceovers indicating non-authentic production.

Similarly, the footage of military activity lacks credible visual markers. For example, a purported official briefing displays a coat of arms inconsistent with Nigeria’s national emblems, and no standard flags or insignia are typically present at such events.

While two brief aircraft clips appear authentic — originally filmed during a May airshow in Lagos — the remainder seems digitally altered or artificially generated.

In reality, Nigerian officials have issued intense public criticism of Israel’s recent military actions in Iran and have not indicated any intent to provide military support to Israel.

The video in question, therefore, significantly distorts Nigeria’s diplomatic position and risks exacerbating tensions during an already sensitive period in international affairs.

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Nigeria launches AI Scaling Hub with Gates Foundation

In partnership with the Gates Foundation, Nigeria has launched the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub, backed by a funding commitment of up to $7.5 million over three years.

Announced during a signing ceremony in Abuja, the initiative will focus on responsibly scaling AI solutions across healthcare, agriculture, and education.

The AI Scaling Hub aims to unite government agencies, tech firms, academia, and development partners to support the nationwide deployment of proven AI innovations.

Rather than developing isolated pilot projects, the hub intends to build a collaborative system that encourages mature AI tools to be applied widely.

The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy stated that the move aligns with Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy and broader technology agenda.

Minister Bosun Tijani said the hub would help turn local AI concepts into real-world results by offering innovators mentorship, resources, and support.

The Gates Foundation echoed the sentiment, with Nigeria Country Director Uche Amaonwu stressing the importance of ensuring AI benefits reach underserved communities.

The project also involves Lagos Business School and is expected to bolster Nigeria’s leadership in ethical AI adoption across Africa.

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IHS Nigeria and NSCDC partner to secure telecom infrastructure

IHS Nigeria and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have partnered to enhance the protection of critical telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria.

The partnership is grounded in national policies that classify telecommunications assets, such as towers and fibre optic networks, as critical national information infrastructure, requiring legal protection and proactive security enforcement.

By addressing issues such as theft, vandalism, and sabotage, the partnership aims to strengthen the reliability and security of telecom services that millions of Nigerians rely on daily.

The NSCDC will provide critical support to IHS Nigeria in essential operational areas including site surveillance, emergency response, incident reporting, and tower decommissioning.

Additionally, the Corps will take an active role in investigating, apprehending, and prosecuting those who violate laws protecting telecommunications infrastructure.

Commenting on the partnership, IHS Nigeria CEO highlighted the importance of working closely with law enforcement to create a safer environment for operations and improve service quality.

He described the initiative as a major step toward enhancing the resilience and availability of connectivity in Nigeria. Similarly, NSCDC Commandant underscored the Corps’ responsibility to protect national infrastructure and described IHS Nigeria as a strategic partner in achieving that mission.

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Nigeria to strengthen telecom infrastructure protection

The Nigerian government has taken decisive action to address the persistent problem of vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure by declaring telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). That designation aims to provide stronger legal protection and prioritise the security of telecom assets, which are vital to the country’s information and communication networks.

Building on this policy framework, IHS Nigeria has formed a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to operationalise these protections and enhance the security of telecom infrastructure nationwide. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both organisations will collaborate to develop and implement strategies designed to safeguard IHS Nigeria’s extensive assets, including over 16,000 telecom towers and more than 15,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables.

Under the partnership, the NSCDC will provide support in areas such as site surveillance, emergency response, incident reporting, and assistance with tower decommissioning. The agency will also take on responsibilities to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals involved in vandalism or theft of telecom infrastructure.

The collaboration is expected to create a safer environment for telecom operations, ultimately improving the resilience, reliability, and quality of connectivity services across Nigeria. Despite these efforts, vandalism remains a major challenge.

Airtel Nigeria and MTN Nigeria report 40 to 43 daily fibre cuts, many caused by theft and sabotage. The IHS Nigeria–NSCDC partnership is a crucial step to reduce these disruptions and protect critical telecom infrastructure.

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ATCON calls for unified regulation and telecom reform

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) is leading efforts to address critical challenges in Nigeria’s telecom sector, beginning with calls for a unified regulatory framework to eliminate overlapping and conflicting regulations from multiple government agencies.

At the 2025 General Meeting, ATCON announced the formation of an Industry Think Tank Committee to coordinate advocacy and streamline policy engagement.

The association also highlighted internal industry issues such as fragmentation and price wars, which weaken the collective bargaining power of operators. Stakeholders stressed the importance of greater unity to strengthen the sector’s negotiating position and overall influence.

To tackle the sector’s talent shortage and reduce reliance on foreign expertise, ATCON launched the ATCON Academy, designed to train Nigerian youth in essential telecom technical skills.

Telecom companies committed to expanding internship programs and partnering with universities to enhance practical training and update ICT curricula.

Despite these efforts, institutions like the Digital Bridge Institute have underperformed, prompting calls for stronger government investment in human capital and the creation of a national ICT Think Tank, inspired by successful models from India and Singapore.

ATCON prioritizes protecting telecom infrastructure and will push for full CNII enforcement. President Emoekpere aims to strengthen regulation, talent, and infrastructure for sustainable sector growth.

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Nigerian court postpones Binance hearing over jurisdictional challenge

A Nigerian court has adjourned a major tax evasion case against cryptocurrency exchange Binance to 30 April. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was granted additional time to respond to a legal motion filed by the company.

Binance is challenging a previous court order that allowed the FIRS to serve legal papers via email. The exchange claims Nigerian authorities lacked court approval to serve documents abroad. Binance’s counsel has called for the substituted service order to be invalidated.

The FIRS alleges Binance owes $2 billion in taxes and $79.5 billion in damages for its role in economic losses. It argues Binance’s strong presence in Nigeria makes it liable for 2022–2023 corporate taxes and related penalties.

The case forms part of Nigeria’s broader crackdown on crypto activity. Binance remains widely used by Nigerians seeking access to stablecoins and digital assets.

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