Why Nigerian govt, businesses should develop their AI integration, adoption strategies

Product manager and AI strategist, Ebikombo-ere Olodiama, has advised the Nigerian government and tech-based businesses to develop artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and strategies that reflect their unique values and realities.

The Nigerian United Kingdom-based tech enthusiast made this known on Sunday while speaking on the proliferation of AI platforms used by Nigerians but developed by other countries and the biases associated with them, which may not favour African and Nigerian special needs.

“While AI mirrors the values and culture of those designing it, it raises a critical question: Are Nigeria’s culture and values represented in the AI systems we interact with daily?” she asked.

Olodiama stressed that AI ethics is a global issue and that if Nigeria does not engage and contribute to the discussions bordering the laws and ethics of the technology, it stands the risk of inheriting AI systems that do not serve its best interests.

“Nigeria has one of the fastest-growing tech ecosystems in Africa. Our AI researchers and product managers are already making global strides. By actively shaping AI’s ethical landscape, through regulation, investment, and advocacy, we can ensure that AI serves our society rather than undermines it,” she added.

Olodiama noted that apart from her work as a product manager at Tompsebet, she also works in infrastructure development and construction, financial services and fintech, and public sector and governance.

She further noted that, as someone who works in these diverse tech-driven sectors, she has seen how AI is helping companies make smarter decisions, automate repetitive processes, create products that meet customer needs, and improve efficiency by cutting waste and driving economic growth.
“Nigeria has the talents and potential, but we need to build products that solve problems. That is where good product management, powered by artificial intelligence and data-driven insights, comes in,” she added.

In light of this, she advised that if the Nigerian government must compete globally with other countries in AI development, adoption, and utilisation, it must invest in AI and tech-driven infrastructure; support local product innovation; streamline bureaucracy with AI; and invest in AI and product management education.
“Nigeria has the talents and potential. What we need is the right leadership and policies to scale these innovations,” she said.

While advising young people and entrepreneurs on the adoption of AI in their work, she emphasised that the future belongs to those who can build, innovate, and solve real problems.

She further advised that if young people must thrive in product management and AI, they should learn the fundamentals of product and AI, solve real Nigerian problems, master data and critical thinking, be open to experimentation and failure, and network and find mentors.

The AI strategist stated that Nigeria’s biggest challenges are not paucity of funds for development, but inefficiencies in how it builds, manages, and scales solutions.
“If we prioritise smart governance; embrace AI, product-driven innovation; and localise these technologies and concepts, Nigeria will be a major leader in these spaces in Africa and globally,” she concluded.