Olufemi Adeyemi 


The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has announced that the federal government has allocated N200 million in grants to 55 Nigerian researchers and innovators through two technology initiatives: the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme (NAIRS) and the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technology Application (4IRTA).

This information was shared by the Minister in a post on X, where he outlined the Ministry's objectives for the upcoming year.

He emphasized that the government is focused on leveraging the outcomes of the research and innovations to enhance the economy.

Under the NAIRS initiative, the Ministry revealed in December of the previous year that 45 Nigerian researchers were chosen to receive funding for their AI projects.

These selected researchers represent various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education. Tijani noted that the Scheme is designed to cultivate a dynamic and sustainable AI ecosystem in Nigeria by providing financial support and promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders in the AI field.

He remarked that the proposals from these researchers address critical challenges facing Nigeria and have the potential to transform industries, empower communities, and create a future rich with opportunities.

In a similar vein, in January of this year, 10 startups were selected under the 4IRTA program to receive funding of up to N10 million to enhance agricultural technology applications.

Tijani, while presenting the chosen projects, stated that this initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s goal of cultivating 500,000 hectares of land throughout Nigeria to improve food security.