In just two years, Nigeria climbed 31 places, moving from 103rd in 2023 to 72nd out of 195 countries, placing the nation in the 37th percentile globally.
Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has announced that Nigeria has made significant strides in global AI readiness, according to the Oxford Government AI Readiness Index 2025. In just two years, Nigeria climbed 31 places, moving from 103rd in 2023 to 72nd out of 195 countries, placing the nation in the 37th percentile globally.
Minister Tijani highlighted that the country’s strongest improvements are where policy aligns with execution. Nigeria ranks 35th globally in Policy Capacity, thanks to a well-defined National AI Strategy, and 49th in Development & Diffusion, reflecting increasing strength in talent development, research, and innovation. The minister emphasized that Nigeria views AI not as a future concept but as critical national productivity infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Dr. Tijani noted that the focus will shift toward scaling AI adoption across government, business, and society. Initiatives such as the AI Collective, AI Trust, and N-ATLAS are designed to convert readiness into tangible impact, supporting Nigeria’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Concluding his message, Minister Tijani posed a challenge to the nation: “Can Nigeria move into the global top 50 for AI capability?” He affirmed that Nigeria is now actively stepping into the global AI landscape with clear intent and ambition.
This development positions Nigeria as a rising AI hub in Africa, with growing potential to compete on a global scale.
