Abuja, June 4, 2025 — The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a historic agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish an AI Scaling Hub, aimed at accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies to address national development challenges.
The agreement was formalized in Abuja during a high-level meeting attended by government officials, technology experts, and representatives of the Gates Foundation. The hub is expected to serve as a center for innovation, research, and practical AI deployment across key sectors such as health, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, described the collaboration as a bold step toward ensuring Nigeria becomes a global player in responsible AI development and utilization.
“This partnership with the Gates Foundation is not just about technology. It’s about using AI to solve real problems—malnutrition, disease, climate change, and education gaps,” Dr. Tijani said.
The AI Scaling Hub will offer a platform for local and international experts to co-create solutions and ensure that Nigerian startups, researchers, and policymakers are well positioned to harness the transformative power of AI in a responsible and inclusive manner.
Dr. Yemi Kale, representing the Gates Foundation, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
“Nigeria has the talent and ambition to lead Africa’s AI frontier. This hub will provide the tools and partnerships needed to drive impactful change,” he said.
The initiative will focus on three pillars: capacity building, data governance, and solution incubation, with an emphasis on ethical AI practices, local language applications, and inclusive policy frameworks.
The AI Scaling Hub is scheduled to commence full operations in Q1 2026 and will be jointly managed by public and private sector stakeholders.