TLDR: Nigeria has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to develop a multilingual Large Language Model (LLM) capable of processing indigenous languages, aiming to solidify its position as a continental leader in Artificial Intelligence. The project, led by Minister Bosun Tijani, seeks to bridge linguistic gaps, preserve cultural identity, and enhance access to AI-powered services for its diverse population.
Nigeria is making significant strides in its ambition to become a leading force in Artificial Intelligence (AI) across Africa with the announcement of a new multilingual Large Language Model (LLM) designed to incorporate indigenous languages. The initiative was a key highlight at GITEX Nigeria in Abuja on Monday, September 2, 2025, where the country reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging AI for national development.
Spearheaded by Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, this project represents one of the government’s most ambitious efforts to integrate AI into the fabric of Nigerian society. Unlike many existing AI models predominantly trained on English and other global languages, Nigeria’s LLM will support five of its indigenous languages, including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Tiv, alongside accented English. This is particularly crucial for a nation boasting a population exceeding 200 million and over 500 local languages.
Minister Tijani emphasized the strategic importance of this homegrown foundational model, stating, “When I came in, I was extremely bullish about the fact that the only way for Nigeria would be to have our own foundational model.” He added, “We opted to kick off a multilingual large language model for the country, covering about five of our languages. We’ve done significantly well in collecting the data.”
The rationale behind prioritizing indigenous languages is multifaceted. It not only serves to preserve the rich cultural identity of Nigeria but also makes AI technologies more accessible and usable for local populations. Languages like Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Tiv are spoken by tens of millions, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in global AI systems.
The development of this LLM is a collaborative effort, involving the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) through its National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), with crucial input from Lagos-based AI startup Awarri, and global technology partner DataDotOrg.
The potential societal impact of this multilingual LLM is vast, with the capacity to revolutionize sectors such as education, healthcare, and public services. For instance, students in rural areas could receive education in their native languages, and local traders could access digital tools in familiar dialects. Professor David-West highlighted this transformative potential, noting, “If that mother speaks only one native dialect and the homework is in English, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t comprehend. With AI, we can bridge those gaps.”
This LLM initiative is part of a broader national strategy to foster AI innovation. Nigeria has also seen remarkable progress through the Nigerian Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme (NAIRS), a federally funded program launched in early 2024. NAIRS has enabled the publication of 20 peer-reviewed AI compute research papers in less than two years, a significant leap from zero. This scheme, funded by NITDA, aims to anchor AI research within Nigerian institutions, addressing a previous gap where Nigerian researchers contributed extensively abroad but not under local affiliations.
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Furthermore, the country’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program is actively aligning thousands of its fellows with the AI initiative, with over 7,000 individuals expected to contribute directly to the LLM project. This not only builds a skilled talent pipeline but also provides a practical learning platform. Educational efforts extend to policymakers and civil servants, with Lagos Business School organizing workshops focused on intellectual property, ethics, and AI applications in governance.
