The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub (NAISH), a national platform designed to accelerate the adoption and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across the country by expanding access to critical computing infrastructure and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced the initiative, describing it as a major step towards positioning Nigeria as a global player in AI innovation.
According to the minister, the hub introduces Nigeria’s first national shared AI computing infrastructure, hosted by Galaxy Backbone and supported by the Gates Foundation, to address one of the biggest barriers to AI development—limited access to high-performance computing resources.
Tijani said the shared infrastructure would significantly reduce the cost of AI development for researchers, startups and public institutions, enabling them to build world-class AI solutions within Nigeria.
He noted that access to computing power has become a defining challenge for AI innovation globally, making the establishment of a national shared infrastructure essential for driving research, innovation and economic growth.
The Nigeria AI Scaling Hub is designed as a collaborative platform that brings together innovators, researchers, startups, government agencies, academic institutions and development partners to accelerate the scaling of proven AI solutions.
According to the minister, the hub will provide the infrastructure, partnerships and technical support required to move successful AI projects from pilot stages to large-scale deployment while strengthening collaboration across Nigeria’s AI ecosystem.
He added that the initiative would also expand access to critical AI resources, encourage innovation that addresses national development priorities and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global AI landscape.
The launch of the hub also marked the commencement of the Scaling AI for Development (SAID) Challenge, an initiative aimed at connecting government institutions with Nigerian AI startups to develop practical solutions to public sector challenges through artificial intelligence.
Tijani expressed appreciation to the Gates Foundation, Lagos Business School, Galaxy Backbone and other partners for supporting the initiative and contributing to the development of an open, inclusive and impactful AI ecosystem in Nigeria.
He also announced that applications for the SAID Challenge are now open, inviting Nigerian startups with proven AI solutions capable of improving public service delivery to participate in the programme.
The Federal Government said the initiative forms part of its broader strategy to leverage emerging technologies to enhance governance, drive economic development and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global digital economy.
