Artificial intelligence (AI) has developed from a futuristic concept into a tangible solution driving organizations and industries globally, and Nigeria and the African continent at large is also well into this advancement and the benefit it offers.
Once the terrain of advanced economies, AI is now making its way into a wide range of markets, showing its potential to drive progress in sectors from finance to agriculture and healthcare.
For many, especially those with little technical background and how emerging technology is here to better our lives, the idea of AI can still seem abstract.
But its applications—and opportunities—are not just confined to IT-aware individuals. They are relevant and transformative for everyone, including our local terrain.
Finance
At its centre, AI includes machines imitating human behaviours to perform assignments such as understanding dialect, recognizing pictures, or making choices. In Nigeria, one of the foremost noteworthy impacts of AI can be seen within the fintech sector.
Advanced loaning organizations unlike the traditional banks, like Carbon or FairMoney use AI capabilities to understand client’s credit worthiness, allowing loan credits to be extended to people without conventional credit histories.
Similarly, mobile payment systems use AI to detect fraudulent transactions by looking for irregular patterns and behaviours that does not conform with the history of the client, keeping users’ funds secure.
These tools are reshaping access to financial services for millions of unbanked and the underbanked.
Agriculture
Agriculture is another endeavour where artificial intelligence is making some serious impact, not just in Nigeria but in the general African space. In countries where agribusiness is the spine of their economy, AI capabilities are making a difference in driving efficiency for Farmers.
For instance, AI-powered drones and Internet of Things sensors monitor crops and soil conditions, helping with better decision-making when there is a need.
Concepts such as Hello Tractor, often referred to as the “Uber for tractors,” use AI to connect Agriculturists with tractor services, leading to farming operations optimization and increasing yields.
Such innovations address food security concerns and gives support to rural economies.
Healthcare
The healthcare sector for one is reaping huge benefits of AI, especially in regions with no or limited medical facilities.
In Nigeria, artificial intelligence -driven algorithms and tools are being used to diagnose serious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and a wide range of illnesses with greater accuracy.
Bots like Ubenwa analyse infants’ cries to detect signs of birth asphyxia, a disorder which causes neonatal deaths.
These inventions through AI are lifesaving, especially in rural areas where there is limited access to specialist doctors.
Across Africa, initiatives like Zipline use AI-guided drones with sensors to deliver medical supplies to inaccessible rural communities, further enhancing healthcare accessibility.
Education
AI’s role in education is another crucial area of impact. In a continent with high levels of school-age population and limited teachers to attend to them, AI-powered platforms are helping bridge the gap. Digital & self-learning tools and virtual tutors personalize education, offering students and pupils tailored support and enabling self-paced learning.
For example, Nigerian edtech platforms like uLesson are already leveraging AI to make quality education more accessible and affordable, even in underserved communities.
While the potential benefits of AI in Africa are immense, there are numerous challenges, particularly when it comes to infrastructure and awareness.
Many Nigerians, and indeed Africans, may view AI as a sophisticated technology meant for super developed countries.
But the reality is that AI can solve local problems in ways that are deeply relevant. A good example is artificial intelligence being used in applications to predict flooding in Nigeria’s river basins, helping communities prepare for natural disasters.
However, the success of these solutions depends on improving internet connection, electricity supply, and digital literacy awareness across the continent.
A big concern around AI is Ethical consideration. As we embrace AI, the question remains; Who controls the data? In the Nigerian market, where data privacy and residency are a growing concern, it’s important that AI systems are developed responsibly.
The subject of responsible and explainable AI must be taken seriously. This includes ensuring that algorithms don’t inadvertently favor one geological location over another or deepen social inequalities. Another concern is the question of job loss.
While automation can free up workers from mundane tasks, it also calls for re-skilling, re-orientation and preparing the populace for jobs in an AI-driven economy.
It’s important to stress that AI is not an autopilot here to replace humans but a copilot to augment human potential.
In the Nigerian oil and gas industry, artificial intelligence is constantly now being used to analyse seismic data, but the experience and expertise of petroleum engineers remains vital for making decision.
Another example is in urban planning, AI can map informal settlements and propose infrastructure improvements, but the localized knowledge of individuals and leaders in the community is indispensable.
For Nigerians, embracing AI starts with understanding its practical implications. Whether it’s using AI to optimise traffic flow in the urban areas through smart ecosystems or adopting AI-driven mobile health apps, the technology is becoming an integral part of our daily life whether we like it or not.
It’s not about being IT savvy but about being open to new ways of solving challenges and improving our livelihoods.
The emergence of artificial intelligence in Nigeria and Africa as a whole goes beyond adopting global trends. It’s about leveraging these emerging innovations to fit our unique needs and aspirations, making it work for us as we navigate our way in this new era is important.
As we harness AI to tackle local challenges, we are not just keeping pace with the world but actively shaping the narrative of how technology can uplift our economies and communities. With the right investments in ethical practices, infrastructure, education and our way of thinking, AI has the potential to be a powerful force for good across the African continent.
Olusoji’s Bio:
Olusoji (Solomon) Adeyemo is an accomplished professional with over 17 years of experience in Presales Engineering Management, Solution Architecture, and Agile Project Management. Currently serving as an Azure Application Innovation & AI Specialist at Microsoft UK, Olusoji has a proven track record of driving technical excellence and delivering high-quality solutions in high-pressure environments. He has held key positions at Wipro, Huawei Technologies, Oracle, and Dell, showcasing his expertise in cloud infrastructure, Application modernization, and Business continuity solutions. Olusoji holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science with distinction from the University of Hertfordshire and Caleb University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt. He is currently enrolled to start his PhD research in Explainable AI and ML in the University of Hertfordshire UK. He is also certified in various cloud and project management technologies, including Microsoft Azure Expert, Google Expert, AWS and Scrum. Beyond his professional endeavors, Olusoji is committed to community service, engaging in private teaching and serving as a community cloud champion and evangelist. He can be reached via email: mastersoji@gmail.com
