Chapter 12: The Jaguardian Mandate: A National Action Plan for Nigeria's Quantum Leap into the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The air-conditioning in the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics on Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Lagos, hums at a constant 18 degrees Celsius to protect the graphics processing units. At 09:15 on a Tuesday in January 2025, the first cohort of the Three Million Technical Talent programme is assembling for a machine-learning bootcamp. The room contains forty-seven students, each assigned a workstation with a Nvidia RTX 4090 card and a Python environment pre-loaded with TensorFlow and PyTorch. Their instructor, a former Andela fellow who now consults for Data Science Nigeria, writes a single line of code on the projector — model = Sequential() — and begins to explain the fundamentals of building a neural network.

A Nation's Quest for Technological Sovereignty

Nigeria's journey towards harnessing the power of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is not a recent phenomenon. The country's technocratic elite has long recognized the imperative of technological advancement as a catalyst for economic diversification and growth. As early as 2001, the Nigerian government established the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to spearhead the development of the IT sector. However, it wasn't until the launch of the Presidential Initiative on Science and Technology (PIST) in 2017 that a comprehensive framework for 4IR adoption began to take shape.

The PIST initiative, championed by President Muhammadu Buhari, aimed to leverage science, technology, and innovation to drive economic growth and job creation. A key component of this initiative was the development of a national AI strategy, which was formally launched in 2020. The strategy identified key areas for AI application, including healthcare, agriculture, education, and transportation. However, the implementation of this strategy has been hindered by a shortage of skilled AI professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to funding.

The Three Million Technical Talent Programme: A Quantum Leap

In response to these challenges, the Nigerian government launched the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme in 2023. The programme aims to train three million Nigerians in critical technical skills, including AI, data science, and software development, over the next four years. The 3MTT programme is a cornerstone of the Jaguardian Mandate, a national action plan designed to propel Nigeria into the forefront of the 4IR.

The 3MTT programme is being implemented in partnership with leading technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, and IBM. The programme's curriculum is designed to be industry-relevant, with a focus on emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Participants are selected through a rigorous application process, which includes online assessments and interviews.

At the Yaba machine-learning bootcamp, the students are a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds. There's Aisha, a 25-year-old graduate of computer science from the University of Lagos; Kofi, a 30-year-old data analyst from a fintech firm in Abuja; and Nneoma, a 28-year-old software engineer from a startup in Port Harcourt. They are all united by their passion for technology and their desire to be part of Nigeria's 4IR journey.

"I was drawn to the 3MTT programme because of its focus on practical skills. As a computer science graduate, I felt that my university education didn't adequately prepare me for the demands of the industry. The 3MTT programme offers a unique opportunity to acquire the skills that are in high demand by top tech companies." - Aisha, 3MTT participant

Addressing the Challenges of 4IR Adoption

Despite the progress made under the 3MTT programme, Nigeria still faces significant challenges in its quest for 4IR adoption. One of the major challenges is the dearth of skilled professionals in critical areas such as AI, data science, and cybersecurity. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, Nigeria will need to train over 1.5 million professionals in emerging technologies by 2030 to meet the demands of the 4IR.

Another challenge is the inadequate infrastructure, including reliable internet connectivity, data storage facilities, and computing power. A survey by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) found that only 40% of Nigerians have access to 4G internet connectivity, while the average internet speed in the country is a mere 7.2 Mbps.

To address these challenges, the Jaguardian Mandate proposes a multi-pronged strategy. Firstly, it recommends a significant investment in digital infrastructure, including the development of a national data centre and the expansion of 4G and 5G networks. Secondly, it advocates for the creation of innovation hubs and accelerators to support the growth of startups and entrepreneurship. Finally, it proposes the establishment of a national AI research institute to drive innovation and research in AI and related fields.

Case Study: The Success of Andela in Nigeria

One of the success stories in Nigeria's tech ecosystem is Andela, a company that trains and connects African software developers to global tech companies. Founded in 2014 by Jeremy Johnson, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, and Ian Carnevale, Andela has grown to become one of the leading tech companies in Africa, with operations in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.

Andela's success is a testament to the talent and potential that exists in Nigeria's tech ecosystem. The company's training programme, which focuses on software development and collaboration, has produced some of the most skilled developers in Africa. Andela's alumni have gone on to work with top tech companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Facebook.

The Andela model has been replicated in other parts of Africa, and its success has inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. As Nigeria continues on its 4IR journey, the Andela story serves as a reminder of the potential that exists in the country's tech ecosystem.

Voices from the Field

As Nigeria embarks on its 4IR journey, it's essential to listen to the voices of those on the ground. Dr. Osinbajo, a renowned AI researcher at the University of Lagos, notes that "Nigeria has a unique opportunity to leapfrog into the 4IR, but it requires a coordinated effort from government, industry, and academia."

Similarly, Omolara Ogunyemi, a software developer and 3MTT participant, observes that "the 3MTT programme is a game-changer for Nigeria's tech ecosystem. It provides a clear pathway for individuals to acquire the skills that are in high demand by top tech companies."

• The Nigerian government must continue to invest in digital infrastructure to support the growth of the tech ecosystem.
• The private sector must play a more active role in driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
• There is a need for greater collaboration between industry, academia, and government to drive research and innovation in emerging technologies.

Conclusion

The Jaguardian Mandate is a call to action for Nigeria to seize the opportunities presented by the 4IR. It requires a coordinated effort from government, industry, and academia to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation. As the country continues on its 4IR journey, it's essential to remain focused on the core objectives of the Jaguardian Mandate: to build a robust tech ecosystem, to drive economic growth, and to improve the lives of Nigerians.

The story of the 3MTT programme and the Yaba machine-learning bootcamp is just the beginning of Nigeria's 4IR journey. As the country continues to invest in its tech ecosystem, it's poised to become a major player in the global tech landscape. The Jaguardian Mandate is a testament to Nigeria's determination to harness the power of technology to drive growth, innovation, and prosperity.