Nigeria Showcases N-ATLAS AI Language Model at UNGA80
as Emir Sanusi Calls for Stronger Public-Private Collaboration
On the sidelines of the ongoing 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, unveiled the Nigerian Atlas for Languages & AI at Scale (N-ATLAS) — a pioneering artificial intelligence initiative focused on digitising and preserving Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.
Dr. Tijani introduced the project as a bold demonstration of Africa’s growing leadership in the global AI landscape. He described N-ATLAS not merely as a technological product, but as a symbol of national unity, cultural inclusion, and global participation in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
“N-ATLAS is a multilingual, multimodal, open-source large language model (LLM) built to map and digitise Nigeria’s vast linguistic diversity,” he explained. “By doing this, we’re ensuring that African voices are not only represented but are central to the global AI conversation.”
Designed to support inclusive and culturally aware AI solutions, N-ATLAS also contributes to building essential datasets that empower innovation across various sectors, especially in language technology and education.
Sanusi II Urges Private Sector-Led Growth
Also speaking in New York at a high-level summit held on the UNGA80 sidelines, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, emphasized the need for a stronger partnership between government and the private sector to unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential.
He cautioned against over-reliance on government expenditure, arguing that sustainable growth requires private sector leadership and strategic investments in infrastructure and innovation.
“Nigeria cannot develop on government funding alone,” Sanusi stated. “The private sector must be positioned at the core of economic transformation. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are essential for national progress.”
He also underscored the importance of building modern, reliable infrastructure to meet the rising aspirations of Nigerians, calling it a foundational element for economic competitiveness and social development.
Both interventions — Tijani’s tech-driven initiative and Sanusi’s policy insights — underscore Nigeria’s dual focus on digital innovation and structural reform as the country navigates a rapidly evolving global economy.
