The Global South Research Centre, a think-tank at Soochow University in China, in collaboration with Nigerian partners, has inaugurated Nigerian Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skills Cooperation Alliance (NAISCA) to train students and youths on AI skills.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Friday, the Coordinator of the programme, Mr Wenkang Lyu, said that the partnership, which is with several Nigerian universities and youth organisations, would provide AI skill training for students and youths, while promoting sustainable development in the Global South countries.
Lyu, a researcher at Soochow University Think Tank, further stated that the project would introduce AI technology and accumulate experience to enhance the career competitiveness of young people.
“Today, we are launching the Nigerian Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skills Cooperation Alliance (NAISCA), together with the Global South Youth Development Alliance (GSYDA).
“This is not just the launch of a project; it is a strategic action by Global South countries for the future of youth in the digital age.
“China and Nigeria, as core partners of the Global South, have established a solid strategic relationship; currently, we face a common strategic challenge: the widening digital skills gap among youths.
“Youths are the core engine of economic development. If digital capacity building lags behind, it will directly threaten our economic resilience and innovation capabilities in the digital age,” he said.
Lyu, also a researcher at the Suzhou University Think Tank, stated that through cooperation, information and opportunity, barriers could be eliminated, building a more equitable and prosperous digital future.
In his remarks, Mr Xi Yang, the General Manager of the Nigerian branch of China International Services Group Limited, described the cooperation as an important milestone in deepening China-Nigeria strategic cooperation.
According to him, the milestone is particularly significant in the fields of education and technology, reflecting the shared vision of both sides for the digital future.
Yang stated that China International Services Group Limited had always been a staunch supporter and active promoter of friendly relations between China and Nigeria.
“In the future, we will continue our unremitting efforts to build a long-term, mutually-beneficial and digitally-prosperous cooperation framework, opening a new chapter in China-Nigeria digital economy cooperation,” he said.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra, Prof. Eugene Okoye commended the initiative.
Okoye, who described artificial intelligence as the future direction of development, said it was of great significance to Nigerian educational institutions, even as he expressed the hope that the initiative would be fully utilised.
He also expressed the optimism that the public welfare training programme on artificial intelligence technology would help in addressing the security challenges currently facing Nigeria.
In his own contribution, the Executive Director of African Youth Growth Foundation, Dr Arome Salifu, said that the initiative would provide Nigerian youths opportunities to explore new areas of development.
Salifu said that over the past 30 years, China had made significant progress in various fields, thus becoming a global power willing to share its technological advantages.
He said that young people mastering AI technology would improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, promote innovation, save costs and improve many areas such as education and healthcare.
While expressing the foundation’s commitment to supporting the initiative, Salifu said that youths had already been mobilised to participate in the programme.
