Nigeria has emerged as the leading African country in the second edition of the Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), ranking 38th globally and 1st in Africa with an overall index score of 45.93. This marks a remarkable improvement from the inaugural 2024 edition of the Index, in which Nigeria ranked 80th globally with a score of 7.21, representing a rise of 42 places in just two years. The latest rankings place Nigeria ahead of every other African country assessed, with Egypt ranking second on the continent, further underscoring Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the global conversation on the responsible, inclusive, and ethical development of Artificial Intelligence.

Published by the Global Center on AI Governance, the Global Index on Responsible AI is the world’s most comprehensive evidence-based assessment of responsible AI governance. The Index evaluates countries across five key dimensions: Inclusion and Diversity; Ethics and Sustainability; Labour and Skills; Trust and Safety; and AI Use in Public Service. Built on extensive primary research and in-country assessments, the Index measures the effectiveness of government frameworks, government actions, and non-state initiatives that support responsible AI ecosystems, providing a robust benchmark of how countries are preparing for an AI-driven future.

Nigeria’s improved performance reflects deliberate and strategic efforts by the Federal Government to position the country not only as an adopter of emerging technologies, but also as a leader in shaping inclusive and ethical AI governance globally. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Nigeria has accelerated initiatives to develop a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS), strengthen digital public infrastructure, invest in digital talent, establish governance frameworks for emerging technologies, and deepen international partnerships to ensure that the benefits of AI are widely shared and responsibly deployed. These efforts have increasingly positioned Nigeria as one of the leading voices from the Global South on the future of AI governance and development.

Commenting on the achievement, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, said: “This recognition is a testament to Nigeria’s deliberate efforts to build an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, responsible, and aligned with our development priorities. We believe that Africa must not only participate in the AI revolution but also contribute meaningfully to shaping how these technologies are governed and deployed globally. Our focus remains on creating the infrastructure, talent, and policy environment that will enable AI to deliver real value for our people and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.”

Beyond the rankings, the report recognised Nigeria as a global ‘Bright Spot’ for its efforts to advance AI literacy while strengthening protections for children in the digital age. According to the Index, Nigeria is among the few African countries that have taken deliberate steps to bridge the gap between AI skills development and safeguards against the potential harms of emerging technologies for children and vulnerable groups. The report specifically highlighted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which calls for increasing AI literacy among all stakeholders and mandates a comprehensive AI skills development programme, including teacher training and broad-based capacity building.

The Index also cited the Federal Government’s flagship 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme as a significant initiative delivering structured training in AI and Machine Learning at scale through a hybrid model designed to reach young people across the country. It further commended Nigeria’s legal and regulatory frameworks for children’s data protection, particularly the Nigeria Data Protection Act and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025, which establish enhanced safeguards for the processing of children’s personal data and prohibit decisions based solely on automated processing. According to the report, these combined efforts position Nigeria as an example of how countries can simultaneously prepare their populations for an AI-driven future while protecting citizens, particularly children, from the potential harms associated with emerging technologies.

Nigeria’s latest performance builds on a series of strong international recognitions in the field of Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation. Earlier this year, the country climbed 31 places in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, moving from 103rd to 72nd globally, reflecting significant progress in policy capacity and AI adoption readiness. The country’s efforts in AI governance and innovation have also received increasing international recognition, with Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani being acknowledged by TIME Magazine for his contributions to advancing responsible AI and digital transformation on the African continent.

Nigeria’s latest GIRAI ranking and recognition as a global Bright Spot reinforce the country’s emergence as one of the leading destinations for responsible AI development and governance in Africa. As the Federal Government continues to implement policies and initiatives that strengthen digital infrastructure, build world-class talent, deepen AI adoption, and foster innovation, Nigeria is demonstrating that emerging technologies can be harnessed in ways that are ethical, inclusive, and capable of driving sustainable economic growth.