Ex-finance Minister’s Foundation To Establish Nigeria’s First AI Centre

Former minister of Finance, Dr Shamsudeen Usman, through his foundation, is poised to establish the first Artificial Intelligence (Al) development centre in Nigeria.

This was disclosed at a press conference by Mr Sadiq Usman who is chairman of planning committee for forthcoming launch of Shamsudeen’s co-authored book titled, “Public Policy and Agent Interests” and formal unveiling of Shamsudeen Usman’s foundation.

Shamsudeen Usman, served as minister during the administrations of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Earlier he was a deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Usman, who said Shamsudeen’s book and foundation will be launched and unveiled on Thursday, September 26 in Abuja, said the foundation decided to establish Nigeria’s first AI development centre because Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the 4th industrial revolution which AI represents.

Stressing that AI has already caused global disruption with regards to its impact on work and services, he said “Nigeria must not be left behind in this 4th industrial revolution.”

Noting that the AI centre will be situated in Abuja, Usman said it would afford Nigeria the benefit of unique opportunities in the 4th industrial revolution, considering that AI is still a fairly new science globally with most of its models still three years old.

While he stressed that AI might not require enormous infrastructure to catch up unlike the three previous revolutions, which are centrally coal, gas, electronics and nuclear, he said the foundation is open to engage global collaborators to make the development a lot more impactful.

Disclosing that the foundation was founded and registered by Shamsudeen’s children to honour his impactful life and legacy for future generations, Usman said. “The foundation’s mission is to create a collaborative that empowers individuals, corporates, researchers and students to explore and develop advanced AI and technological solutions for real-world challenges.

“Its signature project is the establishment of an AI and Technology Development Centre whose main focus will be skills development, innovation and economic development. The foundation will be formally introduced at the event,” he said.

Reflecting on the book, he said it drew from the deep and practical experiences of eminent personalities like the 16th Emir of Kano State, Muhammadu Sanusi II and former statistician general of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Dr Yemi Kale, who contributed to the book.

The planning committee chairman said the book provides “sound intellectual arguments” and serves as a guidebook for making public policy and governance, demystifies misconceptions about policymaking, serves as a learning tool, and reference material for introspection and what could go wrong.”