Tech enthusiast Olatunji Igbalajobi stated on Monday that Nigeria must address its infrastructure deficiencies to fully embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI). Igbalajobi, Managing Partner at Cyber Code Ltd., an IT firm, shared his views with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during an interview in Lagos.
He pointed out that, like other developing countries, Nigeria faces considerable challenges in preparing for AI adoption. According to Igbalajobi, the essential infrastructure must be established before such innovations can be effectively utilized by Nigerians.
“Given our current technological landscape, it’s evident that we are still progressing, especially regarding broadband penetration. For instance, many rural areas lack reliable internet access, making AI deployment in these regions difficult,” he said.
“There are regulations in place that support data management, which plays a critical role in AI development and adoption. For example, The National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) from 2020 to 2030 and the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) focus on data management and security,” he explained.
However, Igbalajobi pointed out that the implementation and enforcement of these regulations remain problematic. He emphasized the need for more comprehensive and updated regulations that directly address AI and advanced security threats, areas where the country still has gaps.
On a positive note, Igbalajobi highlighted that Nigeria boasts a vibrant tech community actively exploring AI solutions, particularly in the Fintech industry. Many fintech companies rely on AI for transactions, API integration, and data analytics, aiming to minimize human interaction in transactions.
He also mentioned that higher education, training, and investment in AI research are areas where Nigeria lags, and he believes the government needs to focus more on these aspects to foster AI development in the country.
Credit: NAN (Text Excluding Headline)
