Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked country in the 2026 Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI), moving up 42 places to rank 38th globally, a development the Federal Government says reflects the country’s growing leadership in responsible artificial intelligence governance.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, described the achievement as a validation of Nigeria’s strategy to build an AI ecosystem that balances innovation with responsible governance.
According to Tijani, Nigeria’s emergence as the leading African nation in the index reinforces the country’s belief that Africa should not only participate in the global AI revolution but also play an active role in shaping how artificial intelligence technologies are governed and deployed worldwide.
He noted that Nigeria’s rise to first place in Africa and 38th globally is the result of deliberate efforts to develop an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, responsible, and aligned with national development priorities.
The minister also welcomed Nigeria’s recognition as one of the report’s global “Bright Spots” for advancing AI literacy. He attributed this recognition to initiatives such as the National AI Strategy (NAIS) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, both of which were highlighted in the report as examples of efforts aimed at expanding AI skills and strengthening digital capacity.
The 2026 Global Index on Responsible AI assesses 135 countries and jurisdictions on how effectively they are establishing the policies, institutions, governance frameworks, and enabling conditions required for the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence. The evaluation measures performance across five key pillars: inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, labour and skills, trust and safety, and the use of AI in public services.
While the report notes that responsible AI governance is gaining momentum globally, it also warns that implementation continues to lag behind policy development. According to the findings, the average global score remains around 35 out of 100, with evidence of implementation present in only 55 percent of cases where governance frameworks exist. This figure declines further to 45 percent among countries in the Global South.
The report also identified Nigeria as one of the countries shaping the next phase of responsible AI governance outside traditional technology centres. It highlighted Nigeria among nations that are strengthening AI governance despite resource constraints and acknowledged the country’s efforts to move beyond policy commitments toward practical safeguards and stronger institutional capacity.
Looking ahead, Tijani said the government would continue investing in digital infrastructure, talent development, and governance frameworks to ensure that artificial intelligence delivers meaningful benefits for Nigerians. He added that these investments are expected to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy driven by innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth.
About The Author
