The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has advocated a decentralized approach to electricity supply in Nigeria.
She spoke on the critical role of Artificial Intelligence in socio-economic development at the 10th convocation ceremony of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja, yesterday.
According to the nation’s former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Nigeria must increase internet access for her citizens to be able to upskill them in AI, a feat that would not be possible without access to constant power supply and that Nigeria could not afford to be left behind in AI.
She said: “Underpinning all that, of course, is access to reliable electricity power supply. Power outages and constant interruptions might prove a more challenging constraint in Nigeria and other African countries to internet access and AI adoption than anything else.
“In other words, we could lay out the smartest approaches to the adoption of AI, like the federal government and AUST are trying to do, but find that efforts undermine our lack of access to the very basics – electricity infrastructure.
“Here, I would propose that we take a more decentralized approach to electricity provision in the country in light of the improved affordability of renewable energy.
“Each production, consumption and learning unit that is able should try to create its electricity supply through renewables. I’m proud to learn that AUST is embarking on this path, with feasibility studies for hydro and solar sources that can carry the campus. The issue is to mobilize the N200 million needed to make this happen.”
Call for AI regulations
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, one of the university’s founders, noted that it was necessary to put regulations in place to guide the use of AI to ensure data security.
“We also need to bear in mind that relying on AI-driven systems could pose challenges to data sovereignty and security. Many African economies currently depend on foreign technology providers for AI tools and platforms, potentially raising concerns about privacy, governance and the protection of sensitive information.
“All these risks, combined with limited regulatory frameworks in many African countries, including Nigeria, underline the need for robust oversight and ethical guidelines tailored to local context.
“Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African nations must work hard, so they can overcome the lag in AI readiness. We score 0.34 on the IMF’s AI Preparedness Index, which evaluates factors such as digital infrastructure, workforce skills, innovation, economic policies and ethical regulations.
“Putting in strong regulatory guardrails is crucial to ensuring that AI serves as a tool for inclusive and sustainable development, rather than a source of new vulnerabilities. So on the road ahead, let me try to bring my talk to a conclusion,’’ she said.
We need investments to benefit from AI
The WTO boss urged investments in ICT infrastructure to enable Nigerians enjoy the benefits AI provides.
Her words: “I’ve been saying throughout that for people in Nigeria and across the continent to fully harness the gains from AI, we need investments. Investments in basic infrastructure first and foremost, investments in regulatory frameworks, in digital literacy, in upskilling our young people, in creating appropriate business ecosystems and more.
“But I’m confident that with foresight and careful planning for implementation, Nigeria and Africa can do it.”
She said over the past few years, AI had evolved from being a technological curiosity to becoming a force within industry and within people’s lives.
“It has already starting to redefine how we live, learn, work, and trade. AI has been likened to the advent of electricity, a transformative force that reshapes everything it touches.
‘’In my view, it’s already clear that AI is the most disruptive and transformative technology since the advent of the Internet a generation ago. It will transform the nature of work.
“It will change existing jobs. It will create new ones we had not thought about. And yes, it will probably take some jobs away.
‘’The potential gains are enormous. The consultancy, PriceWaterhouse estimates that AI could boost global economic activity by up to $15.7 trillion, or roughly 15% by 2030. They predict that this growth will not be confined to the industrialized north.
“The global south, including Nigeria, has much to gain. But countries across the developing world will need to be proactive to seize this potential, and we cannot afford to be left behind,’’ Okonjo-Iweala added.
