Lagos: The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has selected seven Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) advocacy grants under the Nigeria AI Collective initiative. CJID Executive Director, Mr. Akintunde Babatunde, announced the recipients, emphasizing the initiative as a pivotal move towards more inclusive AI development in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the chosen organisations include TechHer, Cedar Foundation for Disability, Akin Fadeyi Foundation, and Nest Africa AI Innovation Lab. Others are Webfala Digital Skill for All Initiative, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, and Dataphyte Foundation. Each organisation is set to implement advocacy projects tailored to their specific areas of expertise, target communities, and priority areas within Nigeria’s burgeoning AI ecosystem.
Babatunde highlighted that these projects mark the next phase of the AI Collective Community of Practice, which boasts over 600 members. The grants are a continuation of a prior group-based advocacy phase, allowing organisations to independently carry out interventions that are specifically designed to address community needs.
The projects are expected to enhance public understanding of AI, encourage responsible technology adoption, promote digital inclusion, foster citizen engagement, ensure information integrity, raise policy awareness, and improve accountability. Additionally, participating organisations will document their implementation experiences and share them with the wider Community of Practice to facilitate learning and replication.
Babatunde noted that the phased approach underscores the collective’s dedication to collaboration, allowing organisations to transform shared knowledge into institution-led initiatives. He stressed that building an inclusive AI ecosystem requires more than technological innovation; it demands informed citizens, capable CSOs, evidence-based policy engagement, and sustained cross-sector collaboration.
Babatunde further remarked that meaningful AI governance necessitates active contributions from civil society organisations in public education, accountability, and policy development. He argued that while AI is reshaping public life, its direction should not be solely determined by technology companies and governments, and CSOs play a crucial role in helping communities understand these technologies, identifying their implications, and ensuring AI systems serve the public interest.
The Nigeria AI Collective aims to promote safe, ethical, and impactful AI development and adoption across Nigeria through advocacy, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Established by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the initiative is led by Data Science Nigeria, Lagos Business School, and CJID. The collective is coordinated by the Policy Innovation Centre, with CJID leading the civil society track focused on AI knowledge, advocacy, and accountable governance.