Stakeholder Mapping of AI Actors in Nigeria

This paper provides a stakeholder mapping of Artificial Intelligence (AI) actors in Nigeria. By “AI actors” this work refers to institutions and organizations in Nigeria that regulate, deploy, or create Artificial Intelligence systems. AI is used, in different forms, by both private and public entities in Nigeria. The Nigerian federal government has through different ministries, set up agencies and learning centres whose work revolves around the use of AI. State governments such as Cross River and Lagos states are also progressive actors in the Nigerian AI space. Several ministries and hubs dedicated to the development and use of AI in Nigeria have also sprung up across respective states. Nigeria can be considered as one of the leading African countries with institutions committed to the deployment, development, and the use of AI systems.1  Some private institutions in Nigeria, ranging from transportation companies, to finance corporations, and even pharmaceutical chains are actors in the Nigerian AI space. There are also private institutions in Nigeria that offer training courses on AI. Divided into six (6) parts (with this Executive Summary being the first, and the Research Method section being the second), this work highlights the Nigerian AI actors in three (3) broad clusters: Public AI actors in Nigeria; Private AI actors in Nigeria; and the regional AI actors impacting on Nigeria. The sixth and final part concludes.