45 startups have been selected for the initial National AI Research Scheme, and each recipient will receive a grant of ₦5 million.
The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy in Nigeria, Bosun Tijani, has disclosed that 45 startups will benefit from the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Grant Scheme.
According to Bosun, this program’s beneficiaries, including Lendsqr, a Nigerian Fintech startup, will receive 5 million naira each. He also said, “We’ve launched the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme to fund 45 consortia of startups and researchers to allow them to explore further opportunities to deepen their work and build a sustainable AI ecosystem in Nigeria.”
He further mentioned that the proposals from the grant recipients address critical issues and have the potential to transform industries, empower communities, and open up a future abundant with opportunities.
The recipients of the grant, who belong to different sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, security, and environmental sustainability, were selected by a group of 25 AI specialists, comprising academics from both local and international universities.
“Join us in celebrating these trailblazers who are set to redefine the technological landscape in Nigeria as we explore the limitless potential of Artificial Intelligence,” Bosun said in a tweet.
When Bosun put out the announcement via a tweet on X, some of the grantees who are also users of the platform quoted the tweet.
“I’m excited to have been selected, along with 44 others, to conduct groundbreaking research on artificial intelligence across pivotal sectors of Nigeria’s economy. Together with my team, we’re diving into the development of a Personalized Intelligence Tutoring System aimed at significantly uplifting student education outcomes in Nigeria. Out of more than 2K submissions, only 45 were selected which shows the competitiveness of the selection process,” one of the award’s recipients shared.
Another beneficiary of the grant quoted the tweet made by Bosun Tijani, “Pleased to have received the Nigerian Artificial Intelligence Research Grant Scheme (NAIRS). Over the next couple of months, I will be working with my team to develop an AI method for the early detection and management of Tuta absoluta infestations in Nigerian tomato farming. Only 45 researchers were granted the NAIRS out of 2,118 applicants, making the process highly competitive with a success rate of only about 2%.”
The names of the grantees and sectors they belong to as published by the federal government include the following:
Health
- Ofordum Ikenna David (Nigerian Researcher)
- TechCare Diagnostics Research Team (Nigerian Researcher)
- Aurelius (Startup
- Hauwa Ahmad Amshi (Nigerian Researcher)
- Lagos State University (Nigerian Researcher)
- Cardio Intel (Startup)
- Nurse Oge (Startup)
- Nasir Idris Ibrahim (Nigerian Researcher)
- Dr. Obasa, Adekunle Isiaka (Nigerian Researcher)
- Adejo George Ode (Nigerian Researcher)
- Tamela (Startup)
- Maruf Adewole (Nigerian Researcher)
- All For Tech Empowerment Foundation (Technology Company)
- Quantum Innovative Tech Solutions Ltd (Startup)
- Life-Elixir Computers (Startup)
Agric
- Abidoye Luqman Kolawole (Nigerian Researcher)
- Farmspeak Technology Limited (Startup)
- Dr Harisu Abdullahi Shehu (Nigerian in Diaspora Researcher)
- Yakubu Ibrahim (Nigerian Researcher)
- Dr. Ronke Seyi Babatunde (Nigerian Researcher)
- Erike, Azubuike Izuchukwu (Nigerian Researcher)
- Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (Nigerian Researcher)
- Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim (Nigerian Researcher)
- Muallim Yakubu (Nigerian Researcher)
- Dr. Olakunle Elijah (Nigerian Researcher)
- Godwin Ani / Gwin Technologies Limited (Startup)
Education
- Data Scientists Network (Technology Company)
- Edunetix (Startup)
- Bello Abdullahi (Nigerian Researcher)
- Ibrahim Lukman Kehinde (Nigerian Researcher)
- Segun Oladele (Nigerian Researcher)
Finance
- Lendsqr (Startup)
- NaYa Finance Technology Limited (Technology Company)
- Vergold Nigeria Limited (Nigerian Researcher)
Governance
- Shamsuddeen Hassan Muhammad (Nigerian Researcher)
- IDB Analytics (Startup)
- Dr. Israel Udoh (Researcher)
Sustainability
- Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (Nigerian Researcher)
- Dr Aneyo, Idowu (Nigerian Researcher)
- Shamsudeen Temitope Yekeen (Nigerian in Diaspora Researcher)
- Dr. Sani Muazu (Nigerian in Diaspora Researcher)
- Dr. Evans Woherem (Nigerian Researcher)
Utility/IP
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence (Startup)
- Eya Candidus Ugwuoke (Nigerian Researcher)
- Qudus Onikeku (Nigerian Researcher)
