South Korea’s $7b Investment and Nigeria’s Buffering AI Dreams
Jerry Adesewo, Abuja-Nigeria
Dear Honourable Minister of Information, Science and Technology and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, I greet you both.
I hope this letter finds you well, preferably not stuck in a Zoom meeting that could have been an email. I write to you today with a heavy heart and a mildly malfunctioning laptop, inspired by the recent news that South Korea has pledged $7 billion to Artificial Intelligence (AI) development by 2030. Yes, billion. Meanwhile, our biggest AI breakthrough in Nigeria is Nollywood’s use of “Juju” to explain potholes.
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Honourable Ministers, while the world is busy building self-driving cars, AI-powered healthcare systems, and robots that can write better speeches than most politicians, our darling Nigeria seems to be stuck in a perpetual state of “loading…”—much like our internet connections, for which we pay so much but get nothing. It’s almost impressive how we’ve managed to turn “potential” into a permanent state of being.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate South Korea, which, if I have the opportunity, would be my second nation. And then I’ be addressed as a NIKOREAN. A nation that, like Nigeria, was once ravaged by war and poverty. Today, they’re exporting K-pop, Samsung gadgets, and AI-driven innovations, while we’re still exporting crude oil and memes about fuel scarcity. They’ve built smart cities; we’re still debating whether to fix potholes or just rename them “speed bumps.”
But it’s not just South Korea. China is using AI to predict traffic jams, the US is using it to explore Mars, and even Rwanda is deploying drones to deliver medical supplies. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s most advanced AI is probably the guy at the traffic light selling pure water and predicting when the light will turn green.
Honourable Ministers, I understand that our challenges are many. Electricity is a luxury, broadband is a myth, and our tech hubs are powered by generators that sound like they’re auditioning for a Mad Max sequel. But surely, we can do better than this. AI isn’t just about robots taking over the world; it’s about solving real problems—like why our national grid collapses more often than a Nigerian football team in the final minutes of a match. I know someone would say, “Why Nigeria? Why not Arsenal?”
The Possibilities Are Endless
Imagine, Honourable Minister, the transformative impact AI could have on our nation if we dared to invest in it:
- Security:
While bandits and kidnappers are outsmarting our security forces with nothing more than WhatsApp and motorbikes, AI could revolutionise our fight against crime. Picture this: AI-powered drones monitoring our forests and highways, predicting criminal activity before it happens. Facial recognition systems identifying wanted criminals in crowded markets. Predictive analytics that helps our security agencies allocate resources more effectively. Instead of relying on “spiritual intelligence” to solve crimes, we could use actual intelligence. Well, I think Beneral CG Musa and the Nigerian Armed Forces are doing well and should be commended and supported.
- Education:
Our education system is in shambles, with students learning under trees and ASUU strikes becoming a national pastime. AI could change this. Imagine AI-powered platforms providing personalised learning for students, even in remote villages. Virtual teachers can bridge the gap where human teachers are scarce. Automated systems grading exams and detecting malpractice, so we don’t have to rely on “miracle centres.” And let’s not forget AI-driven research tools that could finally make our universities globally competitive.
- Agriculture:
Nigeria is blessed with fertile land, yet we still import rice from Thailand. AI could revolutionise our agriculture sector. Smart farming systems could analyse soil conditions, predict weather patterns, and optimise planting schedules. Drones could monitor crops for diseases and pests, ensuring higher yields. AI-powered marketplaces could connect farmers directly to buyers, eliminating middlemen who exploit them. Imagine a Nigeria where farmers are tech-savvy entrepreneurs, not just victims of outdated practices.
A Call to Action
Honourable Ministers, I know we can do it! Yes, we can. But it will require more than just speeches and empty promises. It will require sacrifice—starting with the humongous entertainment budgets in Aso Rock, State Houses across the nation, and the National Assembly. Imagine if we redirected even a fraction of those funds into a trust fund for Research and Development. By 2030, we could be rubbing shoulders with South Korea, rather than becoming a dumping ground for the outdated innovations they’ll be discarding to make way for their new AI-driven future.
We have the talent, the resources, and the potential. What we lack is the will to prioritise innovation over indulgence. Let’s stop spending billions on champagne and start investing in the future of our nation. Let’s build a Nigeria where our children don’t have to flee to other countries to achieve their dreams, as one of mine is soon to do.
And if it is too much to ask that Nigeria invest in technology, maybe we can just ask South Korea to lend us one of their robots. They are a very nice country.