African Action Congress presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore has called on Nigeria to urgently embrace artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, warning that the country risks being left behind if it fails to take advantage of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
In a statement shared on his official X account, Sowore argued that Nigeria has already missed the opportunities presented by the first three industrial revolutions and cannot afford to repeat the same mistake as artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, biotechnology and other advanced technologies reshape the global economy.
The former presidential candidate said the rapid advancement of digital innovation is transforming industries, changing labour markets and redefining how nations compete in the modern world. According to him, countries investing heavily in technology, research and innovation are positioning themselves to dominate future economic growth, while those that fail to adapt risk becoming increasingly dependent on foreign innovations.
Sowore stressed that Nigeria must shift from being largely a consumer of imported technologies to becoming a nation capable of developing its own digital solutions.
He noted that previous industrial revolutions brought significant changes to the global economy. The first revolution introduced mechanised production powered by water and steam, the second accelerated mass production through electricity, while the third transformed industries with computers and digital automation.
Today, he said, the world is experiencing a fourth technological revolution driven by artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, blockchain technology, quantum computing and cyber physical systems, creating opportunities capable of transforming healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, manufacturing and public administration.
According to Sowore, Nigeria’s inability to benefit fully from earlier industrial revolutions was largely the result of poor governance, weak leadership and decades of inadequate investment in education, scientific research and technological innovation.
He argued that these failures have left the country dependent on technologies developed by more advanced economies, limiting Nigeria’s competitiveness in an increasingly digital world.
The activist maintained that the country still has an opportunity to change course if government leaders begin prioritising investments in innovation, digital infrastructure and human capital development.
He called for policies that encourage scientific research, technology driven entrepreneurship and improved digital education, particularly for young Nigerians who represent the country’s largest demographic advantage.
Sowore said Nigeria possesses the talent and creativity needed to become a major player in the global technology ecosystem but warned that those strengths can only be realised through deliberate investments in knowledge, innovation and modern infrastructure.
He emphasised that the country’s growing youth population should be equipped with digital skills capable of preparing them for future careers in artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, robotics, data science and other technology related fields.
According to him, building a knowledge based economy requires more than expanding internet access. It also demands quality education, improved electricity supply, stronger research institutions, innovation hubs and government policies that encourage private sector investment in technology.
Sowore further argued that corruption and poor governance have slowed Nigeria’s technological progress over the years, preventing the country from competing effectively with other emerging economies that continue to invest heavily in innovation.
He maintained that replacing outdated political thinking with visionary leadership focused on science and technology would allow Nigeria to benefit from the enormous opportunities created by artificial intelligence and other digital innovations.
Industry experts have repeatedly highlighted the growing importance of AI across sectors ranging from healthcare and agriculture to banking, manufacturing and public services. Businesses are increasingly using intelligent systems to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance customer experiences, while governments around the world continue to develop national AI strategies to strengthen economic competitiveness.
In Africa, interest in artificial intelligence has grown significantly over the past few years, with several countries investing in digital transformation, innovation policies and technology driven economic development. Analysts believe Nigeria’s large population, expanding technology ecosystem and vibrant startup community provide a strong foundation for becoming one of the continent’s leading AI hubs if appropriate policies are implemented.
Sowore concluded by urging Nigerians and policymakers not to underestimate the significance of the ongoing technological transformation.
He described the Fourth Industrial Revolution as the greatest technological shift in human history and insisted that Nigeria must seize the moment by investing in science, innovation and education instead of continuing to rely on imported technologies.
According to him, embracing artificial intelligence is no longer an option but a necessity for national development, economic competitiveness and long term prosperity.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape economies around the world, the debate over Nigeria’s readiness for the digital future is expected to remain at the forefront of discussions on governance, education and economic development.
