In Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy with a rapidly growing technology ecosystem – institutional efforts have sought to ensure that local talent, enterprises and research communities can meaningfully participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
At the heart of this effort is the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), a research and innovation hub focused on developing, catalysing and embedding AI and robotics capabilities across the Nigerian digital economy.
This article explores the significant ways NCAIR is influencing Nigeria’s AI and robotics ecosystem, providing context, examples, and linkages to broader economic strategy.
What Is NCAIR?
The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) is a specialised institution established under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to advance research, development and practical applications of AI, robotics and other emerging technologies in Nigeria.
It operates from a state-of-the-art facility in Abuja, alongside the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI).
NCAIR’s vision is to be a leading hub for AI, robotics and other Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in Nigeria and Africa. Its mission emphasises research, collaboration, inclusiveness, and entrepreneurship, and is anchored in Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which positions digital innovation as a driver of economic growth.
Origins and Mandate
The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) was officially commissioned on 13 November 2020 as a specialised research and innovation facility under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) of Nigeria.
It was established as part of the government’s effort to harness emerging technologies for national development, economic growth, and global competitiveness.
The centre is co-located with the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) in Wuye District, Abuja.
NCAIR’s core mandate is to promote research, development and practical application of emerging technologies -particularly artificial intelligence and robotics – in areas that align with Nigeria’s national interests.
Its mission encompasses supporting innovation-driven enterprises, creating jobs, advancing scientific discovery, and contributing to a higher quality of life.
10 Ways NCAIR Is Shaping the AI and Robotics Ecosystem in Nigeria
1. Providing a National Research and Development Hub
At its core, NCAIR serves as a centralised R&D facility where researchers, innovators and technologists can pursue cutting-edge work in AI, robotics, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, extended reality (XR) and digital manufacturing.
The centre’s infrastructure, including cloud capacity and fabrication laboratories, enables experimental projects that align with national priorities rather than solely commercial interests.
This research hub is significant for Nigeria because it consolidates expertise and resources that individual institutions might struggle to access independently.
2. Supporting Indigenous Innovation and Solutions
NCAIR’s work prioritises home-grown technological solutions that address local needs across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, finance, governance, education, and security.
Rather than simply importing technology frameworks developed abroad, NCAIR emphasises contextually relevant innovation – for example, open-source AI models tailored to Nigerian languages and social dynamics.
This helps ensure that Nigerian innovators develop solutions for Nigeria and, potentially, broader African markets.
3. Strengthening Technical Capacity and Skills
A critical part of NCAIR’s mandate is to support capacity building. Through training programmes, workshops and research fellowships, the centre helps develop a pipeline of skilled professionals – from early-career researchers to applied technology specialists – capable of advancing the AI and robotics agenda in Nigeria.
This is vital given the global shortage of AI talent and Nigeria’s demographic dividend, with a large youth population poised to become future innovators and entrepreneurs.
4. Facilitating Collaboration Between Government, Academia and Industry
NCAIR serves as a coordinating hub, bridging government agencies, universities, research institutions, industry partners, and startups. These collaborations aim to translate academic research into practical, scalable solutions and ensure that policies reflect current technological realities.
Such partnerships are foundational to building a vibrant AI ecosystem that sustains growth beyond isolated projects.
5. Advancing Strategic Research in Emerging Technologies
Beyond traditional AI research, NCAIR supports exploration in areas including natural language processing tailored to Nigerian languages, intelligent robotics, UAVs and drones, IoT solutions, and health-focused AI applications.
By investing in these strategic areas, the centre helps generate knowledge and tools that contribute to national development.
These efforts align with Nigeria’s aspirations to leverage technology for socioeconomic transformation.
6. Supporting Startups and Innovation-Driven Enterprises
One of NCAIR’s most visible initiatives is the AI Fund, in collaboration with Google, a programme designed to support innovative Nigerian startups that use AI to address real-world challenges.
Through this partnership, NCAIR and Google have established a N100 million fund to provide Nigerian innovators with financial support, technical resources, AI tools, mentorship, and network access.
Each selected startup receives up to ₦10 million, along with access to Google’s AI infrastructure and expert guidance, strengthening both capital access and growth capacity.
Related: 10 Nigeria AI Priorities Policymakers Must Address Now
7. Driving Targeted Funding Through the AI Fund
The AI Fund initiative is explicitly geared toward Nigerian-based startups that demonstrate market traction and a potential for impact across sectors.
In 2024, 10 startups were selected to receive funding and support through this programme, each leveraging AI to address specific challenges.
The list of these startups includes:
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BetaLife Health – uses AI to predict blood demand and match blood types for Africa’s supply needs.
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Bunce – an AI-driven platform centralising personalised customer engagement for businesses.
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CDIAL AI – enables AI-powered text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionality in 13 underserved languages.
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Farmspeak – applies AI to assist livestock farmers with disease detection and climate insights.
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Lendsqr – uses AI to streamline lending operations for lenders and borrowers.
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ProDevs – connects global companies with vetted African tech talent via AI.
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Rana Energy – AI-based energy management for sustainable power solutions.
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SaaSPro Health – healthcare documentation tools tailored to Nigerian doctors.
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Towntalk – provides contextual security insights for communities using AI.
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Trade Lenda – uses AI for credit analysis to improve MSME financing.
These companies represent a cross-section of sectors where AI can drive measurable impact – from health and agriculture to finance and energy.
8. Enhancing Nigeria’s Digital Economy and Policy Alignment
By aligning with the broader National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), NCAIR supports Nigeria’s long-term goals for technological adoption and economic competitiveness.
Initiatives such as the AI Fund not only provide financial and technical resources but also reinforce policy frameworks that encourage innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurship.
This alignment helps ensure that technology initiatives contribute to job creation, productivity gains and enhanced service delivery across sectors.
9. Promoting Ethical and Inclusive AI Development
As AI adoption grows, ethical concerns about bias, data governance, inclusivity and accessibility become central.
NCAIR emphasises responsible innovation that accounts for Nigeria’s diverse social and cultural contexts, including support for local language processing models and inclusive research collaborations.
This focus on inclusive AI helps prevent technological marginalisation and promotes equitable access to digital opportunities.
10. Positioning Nigeria in the Global AI and Robotics Landscape
Beyond local impact, NCAIR aims to position Nigeria as a significant voice in the global conversation on AI and robotics research.
By fostering research that meets international standards and building partnerships with multinational technology firms such as Google, the centre helps elevate Nigeria’s participation in global innovation ecosystems.
This positioning reinforces Nigeria’s potential to contribute African perspectives and solutions to global technological challenges.
A Catalyst for Innovation
The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) represents Nigeria’s strategic initiative to harness AI and robotics for national development.
Through research, collaboration, capacity building, and targeted funding initiatives such as the N100 million AI Fund with Google, NCAIR is helping shape a future in which Nigerian innovators can lead in technology creation rather than simply consume it.
For more details on their programmes, funding opportunities and research initiatives, visit the official NCAIR website at https://ncair.nitda.gov.ng/.
Director
Bio: An (HND, BA, MBA, MSc) is a tech-savvy digital marketing professional, writing on artificial intelligence, digital tools, and emerging technologies. He holds an HND in Marketing, is a Chartered Marketer, earned an MBA in Marketing Management from LAUTECH, a BA in Marketing Management and Web Technologies from York St John University, and an MSc in Social Business and Marketing Management from the University of Salford, Manchester.
He has professional experience across sales, hospitality, healthcare, digital marketing, and business development, and has worked with Sheraton Hotels, A24 Group, and Kendal Nutricare. A skilled editor and web designer, He focuses on simplifying complex technologies and highlighting AI-driven opportunities for businesses and professionals.