NIGERIA has emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked country in the latest Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), climbing to 38th position globally in a significant improvement from its previous standing.

The Federal Government said the country also earned recognition as a global “Bright Spot” for advancing artificial intelligence literacy while strengthening digital safeguards for children and other vulnerable groups.

The development was announced yesterday in a statement from the Office of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Isime Esene.

According to the statement, Nigeria recorded an overall score of 45.93 in the second edition of the Global Index on Responsible AI, up from a score of 7.21 in the inaugural 2024 assessment, when it ranked 80th globally. The latest ranking places Nigeria ahead of every other African country assessed, with Egypt occupying the second position on the continent.

Published by the Global Center on AI Governance, the index assesses countries on five major indicators: inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, labour and skills, trust and safety, and the use of artificial intelligence in public service.

The government attributed Nigeria’s improved performance to sustained investments in digital infrastructure, talent development, AI governance frameworks and international partnerships aimed at ensuring the responsible deployment of emerging technologies.

It said the reforms, driven through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, have positioned Nigeria as one of the leading voices from the Global South on the future of artificial intelligence governance.

Commenting on the ranking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the recognition reflected Nigeria’s commitment to building an AI ecosystem that supports national development while promoting responsible innovation.

“This recognition is a testament to Nigeria’s deliberate efforts to build an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, responsible, and aligned with our development priorities. We believe that Africa must not only participate in the AI revolution but also contribute meaningfully to shaping how these technologies are governed and deployed globally,” Tijani said.

He added that the Federal Government remained focused on creating the infrastructure, skilled workforce and policy environment needed to maximise the benefits of artificial intelligence.

“Our focus remains on creating the infrastructure, talent, and policy environment that will enable AI to deliver real value for our people and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy,” the minister added.

Beyond the rankings, the report recognised Nigeria as a global “Bright Spot” for its efforts to improve AI literacy while protecting children in the digital environment.

It highlighted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which promotes AI education, teacher training and broad-based capacity building, as well as the Federal Government’s flagship 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which provides structured training in artificial intelligence and machine learning for young Nigerians.

The report also commended Nigeria’s data protection framework, particularly the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025, for introducing stronger safeguards for children’s personal data and restricting decisions based solely on automated processing.

According to the statement, the combined initiatives demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to preparing its population for an AI-driven future while protecting citizens from the potential risks associated with emerging technologies.

The latest achievement builds on another recent international recognition, which saw Nigeria climb 31 places in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, moving from 103rd to 72nd globally.

The statement added that Tijani has also received international recognition, including acknowledgement by TIME magazine for his contributions to advancing responsible artificial intelligence and digital transformation across Africa.