Microsoft has called for greater investment in the skills and capabilities of Nigeria’s public sector workforce, saying the country’s ability to harness artificial intelligence will depend on the readiness of policymakers and government institutions.
Government Affairs Director at Microsoft West Africa, Nonye Ujam, said public sector officials would play a critical role in determining whether artificial intelligence becomes a driver of economic growth or a missed opportunity for Nigeria.
Ujam argued that countries making the fastest progress with AI are not necessarily those with the most advanced technology infrastructure but those that invested early in institutional capacity and prepared public institutions to adopt and govern emerging technologies.
“AI delivers gains in efficiency, accountability and responsiveness only when governments have the skills to move beyond experimentation,” she said, citing global research on public sector AI adoption.
According to her, governments must develop the ability to assess AI opportunities, manage risks and create policies that support responsible innovation rather than respond after technologies have already advanced.
Nigeria has outlined its ambition to become a leading AI market in Africa through the National AI Strategy, which focuses on ethical adoption, local talent development, governance and partnerships.
However, Ujam said the rapid pace of AI development has created challenges for institutions globally, with governments struggling to update policies, regulations and delivery systems quickly enough.
She said public sector leaders do not need to become technologists but require sufficient AI literacy to make informed decisions, design effective policies and provide oversight.
Microsoft pointed to capacity-building initiatives involving policymakers, lawmakers and senior officials across ministries, departments and agencies as examples of how Nigeria can strengthen institutional readiness.
