The Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, has approved the establishment of the Sokoto State Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technologies making it the first of its kind in Nigeria and the African continent. This initiative is designed to advice the state in adopting AI and emerging technologies across critical sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and governance etc.
Apart from the United Nation’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI, which was established in 2024 under the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies with the consent of the UN Secretary-General, the only other known institutions that have Advisory Councils on AI are Canada, the Republic of Ireland, and the U.S. states of Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Oregon, and Tennessee.
The council will advise the government on integrating AI solutions, setting ethical standards, developing innovation policies, and fostering digital skills. It will also explore strategic investment opportunities aligned with global digital trends.
This move builds on Sokoto’s proposal at the 11th meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) in 2024, where the state sought to host a Regional Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (RCAIR). The Honourable Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, commended Sokoto’s leadership, stating: “We are talking with Sokoto State. We would provide the needed support to help all states achieve their objectives, as well as the Digital Economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.”
Earlier, Governor Aliyu also sponsored the bill for the establishment of the Sokoto State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (SICTDA), which was passed into law by the Sokoto State House of Assembly. This further solidifies the state’s and the Governor’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development and improving public service delivery in Sokoto.
Muhammad Abubakar
6th May, 2025
