In a major move toward digital equity and inclusive development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the operational design of its groundbreaking National AI Trust. The initiative, which recently secured Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval, aims to establish an independent body of trustees to ensure that artificial intelligence tools are developed and deployed safely to deliver broad-based social and economic value for all citizens.
To kickstart the framework, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy convened a two-day co-creation workshop in London. Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, brought together an international coalition of leading researchers, academics, policymakers, public interest organizations, and global philanthropies to shape the foundational structure of the Trust.
The National AI Trust is envisioned not just as a regulatory body, but as a sustainable institution tasked with protecting public interest while fostering local innovation. As AI increasingly dictates global economic competitiveness, Nigeria’s proactive approach focuses on creating robust institutional stewardship. This ensures that tech advancements do not widen the digital divide, but instead address critical local challenges in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
The international workshop was organized in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, the Co-creation Hub (CcHUB), and the University of Warwick – Warwick Business School. Holding the sessions in London allowed the ministry to tap into diverse global perspectives and world-class expertise to strengthen the institutional safeguards being built into the Nigerian model.
As part of the diplomatic and academic engagement, Minister Tijani also delivered a keynote address at his alma mater, the Warwick Business School. The conversation, titled “Global Perspectives: AI, Institutions, and National Competitiveness” and hosted by Professor Christian Stadler, provided a platform to showcase Nigeria’s holistic blueprint for the future.
The minister outlined how Nigeria is intentionally building the foundational pillars—ranging from local talent development and digital public infrastructure to ethical frameworks—needed to ensure the nation thrives in an AI-driven world while keeping human-centered social impact at the core of its digital transformation.
