Nigeria is building a future with Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Nigeria has a whole booth at GITEX Africa 2025, proudly screaming “Nigeria” on a bold green sign, but it’s not just about national pride. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is showcasing its latest project, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), which is a state-led initiative that’s not just flirting with the future, but building it.

NITDA’s Corporate Communications and Media Relations department is behind the NCAIR, which has a digital fabrication lab (FabLab) that could pass for a tech startup’s dream office. However, this is a state-led project with real teeth. Its research areas read like a wish list for any forward-thinking economy.

These include Natural Language Processing, Robotics, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Health AI, Finance AI, Education AI, and even agricultural applications that could revolutionize how we grow and feed a nation.

But what makes NCAIR even more compelling is that it’s co-located with the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), a deliberate move that shows innovation isn’t a solo act. It’s an ecosystem, and in Abuja, that ecosystem is starting to breathe.

What happens when a Nigerian startup walks through NCAIR’s doors?

According to Wole Alao from NITDA’s Corporate Communications and Media Relations department, “The NCAIR is a special purpose vehicle and subsidiary of NITDA saddled with the responsibility of promoting indigenous innovative solutions, particularly in the startup ecosystem.”

“NITDA developed the Nigeria Startup Act to help regulate startups in the country and make them thrive in a globally competitive tech world. When a startup joins NCAIR, they enjoy privileges such as mentorship of their ideas, funding and showcasing them on the global stage.”

And if you’re wondering whether this is all talk, Alao added that “With the support of NCAIR, they have the opportunity to present their solutions to foreign investors and possibly commercialize them.”

The People Behind the Project

At the helm of this ship is Olubunmi Ajala, a data scientist and economist with a sharp focus on the big picture. He’s not here for tech-for-tech’s-sake. His expertise lies in connecting digital dots — crafting policies, building infrastructure, and asking how AI can be deployed intelligently to boost national productivity.

He’s not alone in his vision. The NCAIR team has a deep understanding of the importance of strategic thinking in AI development. They’re not just building a lab; they’re building a movement.

A New Initiative: The AI Fund

And speaking of numbers — how about ₦100 million? That’s the size of The AI Fund, NCAIR’s new initiative in collaboration with Google.

The AI Fund aims to support 10 homegrown startups using AI in real-world applications, with each one receiving up to ₦10 million in funding, mentorship from Google engineers, access to cutting-edge tools, and the kind of visibility that startups dream of.

Introducing the first cohort

• BetaLife, which uses AI to match blood types and predict demand across Africa’s blood supply chains.
• Bunce, an AI-powered customer engagement platform that personalizes communication for businesses.
• FarmSpeak Technology, helping livestock farmers detect disease and manage climate challenges using AI.

A Message of Ambition

The formula sounds familiar, but it’s not just a copycat. Nigeria is no longer waiting for the global AI wave to arrive. It’s building its own.

Morocco’s UM6P Startgate has been playing in the same innovation sandbox, but Nigeria is crafting a blueprint that doesn’t just look good on paper — it’s actionable.

They’re creating environments where AI isn’t some abstract force—it’s something that can teach, heal, build, grow, and protect.

And in an era where digital economies are the new oil, NCAIR isn’t just a research center — it’s a bet.