Nigeria Climbs 42 Places to Rank 38th Globally in Responsible AI Index, Top in Africa

According to the Global Center on AI Governance (GIRAI), Nigeria rose from 80th globally in 2024 to 38th with a score of 45.93, emerging as Africa's highest-ranked country for responsible AI and climbing 42 places in just two years. The ranking evaluated 135 countries across five pillars: inclusion and diversity, ethics and sustainability, labour and skills, trust and safety, and AI use in public services.

The report singled out Nigeria as a global "Bright Spot" for combining AI skills development with safeguards for children and vulnerable groups. Nigeria's rise reflects deliberate policy efforts including the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which introduced enhanced safeguards for children's personal data.