LAGOS, Nigeria — Debola Ibiyode, founder and chief executive officer of Carbon AI, has stated that Nigeria’s adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is not real and largely driven by hype rather than genuine innovation, describing the current state of AI integration in the country as superficial.
Ibiyode made the remarks during an interview with TVC on Monday, where he expressed concern that many Nigerian organisations are merely paying lip service to AI without making meaningful investments in infrastructure, talent development, and research. He argued that true AI adoption requires a fundamental shift in how businesses and government institutions operate, not just the deployment of chatbots or automation tools.
According to Ibiyode, the hype around AI in Nigeria has created unrealistic expectations, with many companies claiming to be AI-driven without having the necessary data ecosystems, technical expertise, or strategic frameworks to support such claims. He warned that this trend could undermine the credibility of the technology and delay its potential to transform key sectors of the economy.
The Carbon AI CEO cited the lack of robust data infrastructure as a major barrier to genuine AI adoption in Nigeria. He noted that AI systems rely on large volumes of high-quality data to function effectively, yet many Nigerian organisations still struggle with data collection, storage, and analysis. Without this foundation, he argued, AI initiatives are unlikely to deliver meaningful results.
Ibiyode also pointed to the shortage of skilled AI professionals as a critical challenge. He called on the federal government and private sector to invest in education and training programmes that would equip Nigerians with the skills needed to develop and deploy AI solutions. He emphasised that without a pipeline of local talent, Nigeria would remain dependent on foreign expertise and technology.
The CEO further stressed the importance of policy and regulatory frameworks that would guide the ethical and responsible use of AI in Nigeria. He noted that the absence of clear guidelines could lead to misuse and erode public trust in the technology, ultimately stifling innovation.
Ibiyode’s comments come amid growing global interest in AI and its potential to drive economic growth and innovation. In Nigeria, the federal government has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting digital transformation, including the National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, which seeks to position the country as a leader in AI on the continent.
However, the Carbon AI CEO maintained that Nigeria is still in the early stages of its AI journey and that more needs to be done to translate policy into practice. He urged stakeholders to move beyond hype and focus on building the foundational infrastructure, skills, and governance systems that would enable sustainable AI adoption.
As the debate over AI in Nigeria continues, Ibiyode’s critical assessment serves as a reality check for policymakers and business leaders. For now, his message is clear: Nigeria’s AI journey must be grounded in substance, not hype, if it is to deliver real and lasting benefits.
