The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics will engage youth, support in the diversification of the economy, create more jobs and inspire Nigeria’s digital entrepreneurs.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami at the commissioning ceremony of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics on Friday, 13th November, 2020 in Abuja.
Pantami reiterated that the proposed activities of this Centre map to Pillar No. 7 on Digital Society and Emerging Technologies and this explains the choice of the Centre’s name.
“Artificial Intelligence is the Refinery of the digital economy and Robotics is very useful in supporting companies as they carry out repetitive tasks. These are 2 very important emerging technologies that will shape the face of future technologies and we have decided to be proactive to enable us play a key role in how these technologies evolve, Pantami said.
He further said that other pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy will support the activities of this Centre. For example, as part of Pillar #1 we are creating the regulatory environment required for the success of the Centre. These include related policies and regulatory instruments like the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), National Cloud Computing Policy, the Nigerian National Broadband Plan and the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy, amongst others.
Chairman of the Ceremony, Minister for FCT Mallam Mohammad Musa Bello, commended Dr Pantami for his unprecedented strides in the sector. He disclosed that the remarkable achievements in the sector have impacted on not just the sector, but the nation’s economy as a whole citing the steady rise in the sector’s contribution to the Nation’s GDP.
The Centre which was built by National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, and located in Wuye District of Abuja is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as Digital Innovation Lab that will serve as a one-stop shop for digital innovation support; Makerspace and Fabrication Lab (Fab Lab) Infrastructure that will support Innovation-Driven Entrepreneurs (IDEs) with their ideas and businesses; Printed Circuit Board Facilities; 3D Printer; Abuja MIT Reap Office; Co-working space for startups and Training facilities.
The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics is aimed at fostering the development of emerging technologies.
The Centre’s activities will focus on preparing Nigeria for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria.
Dignitaries at the event included the Minister for FCT, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello who chaired the event, the Minister of State for Science and Technology Barrister Mohammed Bello, the Executive Secretary Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) Mallam Mohammed Bobboi, Chief Executive Officers of parastatals and Agencies under the Ministry, captains of industry, high level public officials and stakeholders.
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