The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, on Tuesday received billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and a delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to his office, on a landmark move for Nigeria’s technological advancement.
The meeting had in attendance, Paulin Basinga, Uche Ofodile, and other senior members of the Foundation, centered around two strategic priorities, “expanding connectivity and accelerating the responsible application of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria.
Our correspondent reports that the visit was the signing of a groundbreaking agreement to launch AI Scale Up Nigeria, a national initiative backed by $7.5 million in funding and technical support from the Gates Foundation.
The program aims to harness AI solutions to drive improvements in healthcare, agriculture, and education, with a sharp focus on real-world impact for everyday Nigerians.
Mr Bosun while reflecting on the moment, said his relationship with the Foundation began shortly before his ministerial appointment, when he moderated a conversation between Bill Gates and young African innovators.
According to him “This moment means a lot, personally and nationally”
“I’m grateful for the trust, collaboration, and shared belief that Nigeria can lead not just in adopting technology, but in shaping it to solve real problems”.
He said the visit comes midway into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, reinforcing the government’s commitment to driving innovation, digital inclusion, and global partnerships.
The Minister therefore appreciated Mr. Gates and team for marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s digital development.
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