Nigerian gov helps AI initiatives with $290K in grants



The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economic system, Bosun Tijani, revealed on Friday, Oct.13, that the federal government intends to grant 5 million naira ($6,444) to 45 artificial intelligence (AI)-focused startups and researchers.

This initiative was disclosed by the minister in a put up on X (previously Twitter) and is a part of the not too long ago launched Nigeria Synthetic Intelligence Analysis Scheme, which is designed to facilitate the widespread utilization of AI to drive financial development.

As outlined on the scheme’s official web site, the main target areas embody agriculture, schooling and workforce, finance, governance, healthcare, utility and sustainability. To be eligible for a grant, candidates should kind a consortium comprising a startup or tech firm, a researcher from a Nigerian college or a overseas researcher, in line with the ministry.

Candidates ought to current a analysis proposal aligned with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economic system’s AI focus areas. Moreover, they need to present a complete proposal highlighting the undertaking’s potential financial affect in Nigeria.

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Candidates will need to have a confirmed monitor file of excellence in analysis or entrepreneurship and are anticipated to publish at the least one peer-reviewed article inside one yr of receiving the grant.

In August, the Nigerian authorities prolonged an invite to scientists of Nigerian heritage, in addition to globally famend specialists who’ve labored throughout the Nigerian market, to collaborate in formulating its Nationwide Synthetic Intelligence Technique.

The appliance interval commences on Oct.13, 2023, and concludes on Nov. 15, 2023. The ministry has indicated {that a} panel of AI specialists will assess the proposals.

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