Technology leaders and policymakers have renewed calls for Nigeria to prioritize the development of homegrown artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, highlighting the risks of relying too heavily on foreign-built systems. Speaking at the AI in Action Now 2026 conference in Lagos, innovators and government officials stressed that local AI is essential for solving Nigeria’s unique economic, social, and governance challenges.
Participants at the conference argued that imported AI tools often fail to address local realities. With Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, informal markets, and sector-specific needs, global AI models can struggle to deliver accurate insights in healthcare, finance, and public administration. Experts emphasized that context-aware AI, built specifically for Nigerian conditions, can provide faster and more effective solutions.
Debola Ibiyode, Convener of the event, explained that homegrown AI could enhance efficiency by reflecting how Nigerians live, transact, and interact. She noted that sectors like healthcare and finance often suffer when AI systems rely on foreign datasets that do not capture local disease patterns, patient behaviors, or transaction flows. “Solutions built for other regions cannot always respond adequately to our realities,” Ibiyode said.
The conference also highlighted concerns around data sovereignty and national security. Heavy reliance on foreign AI platforms risks sensitive information being processed outside Nigeria’s regulatory reach, raising questions about privacy, accountability, and long-term dependency. Experts further noted that investing in domestic AI capacity could drive economic growth, unlock productivity in agriculture, logistics, and education, and provide jobs for Nigeria’s expanding youth population.
While enthusiasm for AI adoption was evident, participants cautioned against uncritical optimism. Dotun Adeoye, Co-founder of AI Nigeria, urged a focus on ethical, human-centered design and real-world problems with clear value propositions. Government representatives emphasized that partnerships with private sector innovators are key to deploying scalable AI solutions. The consensus was clear: Nigeria’s AI future depends not on adopting foreign tools, but on harnessing local talent to solve local problems.
source: The Sun