Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has urged young Nigerians to use AI to generate solutions for the country’s pressing challenges, highlighting its role in accelerating productivity and entrepreneurship.
Tijani made the remarks while delivering the Distinguished Personality Lecture Series at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on the theme “ICT and Employment Generation: Strategies for Economic Growth”. He encouraged tech-savvy Nigerians to shift focus from challenges to opportunities that drive innovation and development.
“AI is not about replacing human thinking; it enhances our capacity to process information and make better decisions”, Tijani said. “The ability to apply insights creatively remains critical. For Nigeria, AI can accelerate productivity and help solve real problems efficiently”.
The minister highlighted the government’s commitment to partnering with universities like OAU, which prioritize research, innovation, and idea generation, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. “Institutions like this help translate science into practical solutions for sectors such as agriculture, technology, and industry”, he added.
OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, welcomed Tijani’s visit, noting it reflects the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with tertiary institutions to build a digitally empowered and innovation-driven nation.
He also commended the OAU Centre of Excellence in Telecommunications, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission in 2023, describing it as pivotal for positioning the university as a hub for ICT research and development in Africa.
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