The Federal Government has trained no fewer than 200,000 Nigerians in artificial intelligence, AI, and emerging technologies, as part of a major push to develop a digitally skilled workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s innovation-driven economy.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, made the disclosure on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the 10th Annual Symposium and Awards of the American Chemical Society, ACS, Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter. The event, hosted by the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, carried the theme: “Advancing Sustainability through AI-Driven Chemistry.”
Represented by Dr. Patricks Oghuma, his Special Assistant and Team Lead for the Minister’s Project Delivery, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nnaji said the training initiative is a core element of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy currently being formulated.
The strategy aims to chart a unified and inclusive roadmap for the ethical and strategic use of AI across sectors.
“Today, we find ourselves at the crossroads of a revolution where artificial intelligence and chemistry converge to create new frontiers. This powerful synergy offers a vision of the future in which innovation and sustainability work hand in hand”, said Nnaji.
He emphasized the need to bridge the persistent gap between scientific research, policy, and industry applications.
“Many brilliant scientific contributions remain buried in journals or academic shelves. They must be translated into real-world solutions through transformational research that embraces AI,” he said.
READ ALSO: TVC unveils AI news anchors in Nigeria
He reiterated that chemistry plays a vital role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, noting that no significant progress in national development can be made without advances in science, particularly chemistry.
Prof. Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, added that AI is revolutionizing the chemical sciences by making processes more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable.
“The infusion of AI in chemistry opens new frontiers in reducing waste, optimising energy consumption, and improving sustainable technologies,” Peters noted.
He said NOUN is committed to fostering technology-enhanced education and cutting-edge research aimed at solving Nigeria’s national and global development challenges.
Chair of ACS Nigeria, Prof. Edu Inam, also highlighted the society’s ongoing commitment to research outreach and mentorship, particularly among students and young scientists.
Awards were presented to outstanding contributors, including Prof. Peters and Prof. Joshua Obaleye, the immediate past Chair of ACS Nigeria.
The symposium served as a platform to push for sustainable innovation through AI integration in chemistry and reaffirm Nigeria’s position as a forward-looking hub for science and technology advancement.
NAN
