Joy Agwunobi
The Nigerian government has entered into a partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scaling Hub, a multi-sectoral initiative aimed at accelerating the responsible development and widespread adoption of AI-driven solutions across key national sectors.
With a commitment of $7.5 million in funding and technical support from the Gates Foundation over a three-year period, the initiative was unveiled in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy and the Gates Foundation.
The project, described as a pivotal step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, is designed to catalyse the deployment of mature AI solutions in health, agriculture, and education.
According to a statement released by the Ministry, the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub will serve as a national platform to coordinate the large-scale rollout of proven AI innovations capable of solving critical development challenges.
“The Nigeria AI Scaling Hub is a multi-stakeholder initiative that will coordinate the scaling of mature AI solutions in the country. The hub will convene government agencies, private sector tech companies, academia, and development partners to support the large-scale implementation of mature AI innovations. The Gates Foundation is supporting the Nigeria Scaling Hub with up to $7.5 million over a three-year period,”the statement noted.
At the launch event,Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, emphasised that the AI Scaling Hub will play a central role in transforming Nigeria’s innovation landscape by providing innovators with the tools, mentorship, and institutional support needed to turn AI ideas into real-world impact.
“By working with the Gates Foundation, we are strengthening our capacity to ensure that AI-driven solutions are developed responsibly and deployed equitably. The AI Scaling Hub will serve as a catalyst for Nigerian innovators, providing the resources, mentorship, and support necessary to translate ideas into impact,” Tijani said.
He added that the initiative is consistent with the federal government’s broader digital economy strategy and complements the draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy; a policy framework currently in development to guide the ethical, inclusive, and impactful use of AI across sectors.
Also speaking at the event, Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria country director at the Gates Foundation, expressed the Foundation’s commitment to helping Nigeria leverage AI for inclusive development. He said AI has become a transformative force in solving complex challenges, particularly in underserved communities.
“AI is transforming how we address development challenges — unlocking new ways to improve lives and strengthen systems. We’re proud to support the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub with the Government of Nigeria and Lagos Business School, investing in local talent and innovation to ensure the benefits of AI reach those who need them most,” Amaonwu stated.
The AI Scaling Hub, he noted, will focus on identifying and scaling high-impact, homegrown AI innovations and supporting them through access to funding, technical expertise, and national partnerships. It is expected to position Nigeria as a reference point for responsible and inclusive AI deployment in Africa.
The Ministry further explained that the hub is not just a technology incubator but a national enabler of transformation, designed to foster cross-sector collaboration, build local AI capacity, and strengthen service delivery in public institutions. By targeting sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, the hub aims to directly address systemic challenges and enhance citizens’ quality of life through intelligent technologies.
