In the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution, a critical debate is shaping Nigeria's policy landscape: will artificial intelligence (AI) become a tool for bridging social divides or will it widen the gap? According to technology governance expert Augustine Elochukwu Okeke, the answer hinges on the foundational principles of the nation's approach.
AI as a Digital Commons for Public Good
Okeke, writing on 8 January 2026, posits that the National AI Strategy must transcend a mere technical document. He insists it must function as a social contract with the Nigerian people. To genuinely combat poverty, AI should be conceptualized and managed as a "Digital Commons"—a shared resource owned by the public and dedicated to serving the common good.
This perspective shifts the focus from elite, high-tech applications to solutions that empower the majority. The advocate stresses that an effective policy must prioritize the needs of those at the "bottom of the pyramid." This involves deliberate investment in technologies like "vernacular AI"—systems trained on local Nigerian languages—to prevent the digital economy's benefits from being monopolized by a privileged few.
Grassroots Empowerment Through Technology
The practical application of this inclusive vision is twofold. Firstly, for the youth in underserved rural areas, AI can revolutionize education. AI-driven vocational training platforms can offer personalized learning experiences, effectively circumventing the limitations posed by inadequate traditional classroom infrastructure.
Secondly, Okeke underscores the critical importance of civic engagement in the AI rollout. He proposes the establishment of "Community AI Hubs" across the nation. These hubs would serve as local centers where residents can leverage open-source AI tools to tackle pressing, everyday challenges such as:
- Water scarcity prediction and management
- Local market pricing and logistics
- Sanitation issues including open defecation
The True Measure of AI's National Relevance
By fostering this culture of "participatory AI," the technology transforms into an instrument of citizen empowerment against systemic poverty. Okeke concludes that the real test of AI's value to Nigeria will not be conducted in isolated laboratories. Instead, national relevance will be found in the hands of a market trader using a simple predictive tool to better manage her inventory and secure her livelihood.
Augustine Elochukwu Okeke is a noted advocate for technology governance and public policy. He is also the founder of the AEO Foundation.
