The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has initiated a strategic collaboration with Nkenne AI aimed at accelerating artificial intelligence-driven language translation and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading continental hub for AI innovation.
The engagement, hosted by NITDA, focused on leveraging emerging technologies to bridge linguistic barriers and deepen digital inclusion across key sectors of the economy.
Representing the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Dr. Bunmi Ajala, National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, outlined the agency’s strategic roadmap. He reiterated NITDA’s target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027, alongside efforts to cultivate a sustainable talent pipeline and integrate AI solutions into public service delivery.
Ajala emphasized the importance of high-performance computing infrastructure, including Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), as critical enablers of AI research and deployment. He also highlighted the role of the government-backed “GovNet” initiative in supporting innovation and strengthening the local startup ecosystem.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Nkenne AI, Michael Odokara-Okigbo, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to localized AI solutions. He noted that Nkenne AI is developing sector-specific translation tools tailored to healthcare, fintech, and governance, with the goal of enhancing accessibility and operational efficiency.
Odokara-Okigbo stressed the importance of rigorous data processing standards and structured support mechanisms for emerging startups, describing these elements as essential to closing the technology language gap in Nigeria.
Both parties underscored their shared objective of building sustainable business models and resilient digital infrastructure capable of delivering long-term economic value, fostering innovation, and promoting inclusive growth across the country.
