The Lagos State Government and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have called for stronger collaboration to accelerate Nigeria’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption and enhance the country’s navigation of the AI economy.

They gave the advice at the 2026 Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Members’ Day on Thursday in Lagos, with the theme, “Innovation at Work: Navigating the AI Economy Together.”

The state Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, said partnerships would be critical to unlocking the opportunities presented by AI and ensuring inclusive economic growth.

Mr Alake, represented by the Head of Governance, Project and Change Management Unit in the ministry Lateef Alami, described AI as one of the most transformative technologies of the modern era.

He said that AI was already reshaping healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, financial services and governance globally.

He said sustained collaboration among public and private sector actors would be essential for building an AI-driven economy capable of creating jobs and improving productivity.

Mr Alake urged technology stakeholders inclusive of government, businesses, academia and technology innovators, to work together to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital landscape.

“The question before us is not whether AI will transform economies. The question is whether we will position ourselves to benefit from that transformation.

“Government alone cannot build the AI economy. The private sector alone cannot unlock its full potential and universities cannot produce future-ready talents without industry partnerships, while innovators cannot scale without supportive policies and investments,” he said.

The commissioner said Lagos was investing in digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, talent development and technology-enabled governance to strengthen its position as Africa’s leading innovation hub.

He added that the state was also exploring indigenous AI solutions, including the Ekoscribe initiative, also known as the Alausa AI Model, aimed at supporting governance, preserving institutional knowledge and improving public sector efficiency.

Mr Alake said Lagos was determined not only to consume technology developed elsewhere but also to become a producer of globally competitive digital solutions.

He called for increased investment in STEM education, digital literacy, startup development and ethical AI frameworks to ensure responsible deployment of emerging technologies.

The President, LCCI, Leye Kupoluyi, said Nigeria was already among the world’s leading adopters of AI and should focus on translating adoption into economic value.

According to him, a 2026 Google-Ipsos study showed that 88 per cent of Nigerian adults used AI chatbots in 2025, while 91 per cent utilised AI tools at work.

“Nigeria’s AI economy is not an emerging trend to monitor; it is already one of the fastest consumer-adoption stories in the world.

“The only question left is whether Nigerian businesses will capture the value it has already created,” he said.

Mr Kupoluyi noted that the country faced a major workforce transition as AI adoption expanded across sectors.

He cited projections by the International Finance Corporation indicating that 28 million jobs in Nigeria would require new digital skills by 2030.

The LCCI president urged businesses to conduct AI-readiness audits, invest in workforce upskilling and participate in talent development initiatives to prepare for future opportunities.

He also urged companies to embrace innovation, digitise operations, diversify markets and leverage partnerships to remain competitive amid economic challenges.

Mr Kupoluyi said the chamber would continue to support businesses through advocacy, innovation programmes, capacity-building initiatives and platforms that promote enterprise growth. 

(NAN)