Nigeria Faces Infrastructure Challenges in Pursuing Artificial Intelligence Goals

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, recently pointed out several challenges that Nigeria faces in its quest to advance in artificial intelligence (AI). These challenges include poor electricity supply, slow internet connectivity, and limited access to advanced computer chips and cloud services.

Dr. Tijani made these comments through Dr. Olubunmi Ajala at the first Africa AI infrastructure conference, Build 2026. He emphasized that Nigeria’s success in the fast-changing AI field relies on fixing these critical infrastructure problems and improving access to necessary computing resources.

One significant issue is the rapid development of semiconductor technology. New computer chips are released frequently, making it hard for Nigeria to keep up. Dr. Tijani noted that companies like NVIDIA introduce new chips every few months, and by the time Nigeria tries to acquire them, it often falls behind other countries.

He also mentioned the increasing demand on the global supply chain for AI infrastructure. Major cloud service providers have ordered computing equipment well in advance, which puts additional pressure on availability. Dr. Tijani stated, “The hyperscalers have placed orders for two years that even the chip makers may not be able to meet.”

To tackle the electricity issue, the government plans to create a data park near the Egbin Power Station in Lagos. This facility aims to utilize the power station’s unused capacity to support data center operations. Dr. Tijani explained that this initiative would not only benefit Nigeria but also aim to support digital infrastructure development across West Africa, including Togo.

Build 2026 was organized by the AI Collective, which includes several institutions such as the Lagos Business School and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.