The Nigeria AI Collective is a community of practice that brings together expertise from civil society, academia, innovation, policy, and the broader AI ecosystem to advance artificial intelligence in Nigeria and ensure it is safe, ethical, inclusive, and works for the good of all in society. The Collective is developing an inclusive, locally-driven approach to Nigeria’s AI initiatives, both domestically and globally, while aligning with the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) and fostering collaboration with government institutions. Supported by Luminate, Ford Foundation, AI Collaborative and the MacArthur Foundation, the AI Collective is managed by four leading Nigerian organizations working in close partnership:

1. Lagos Business School (LBS), Pan-Atlantic University – Academic Research and Training Lead: Driving cutting-edge AI research, executive education, and capacity-building programs for leaders across sectors.
2. Data Science Nigeria (DSN) – Innovation and AI Ecosystem Manager: Leading talent development, startup incubation, grassroots AI education, and the growth of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem through initiatives like the annual AI Summit and community bootcamps.
3. Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) – Media and Advocacy Lead: Spearheading public awareness, ethical AI advocacy, media literacy, and countering AI-related mis/disinformation through journalism and strategic communication.
4. Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) – Central Coordinating Unit of the Nigeria AI Collective: Providing overall coordination, evidence-based policy engagement, gender-inclusive strategies, and thought leadership in alignment with Nigeria’s National AI Strategy.
5. National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR): An agency of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. NCAIR is  the government’s flagship institution for AI research, development, and implementation.

Through this strategic partnership, the AI Collective bridges civil society, academia, industry, and government to ensure Nigeria’s AI ecosystem is responsible, human-centred, and contributes meaningfully to sustainable development, economic growth, and digital inclusion across the country