Nigeria has been ranked among the 15 Commonwealth countries best positioned to prepare young people for opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting the country’s growing potential in the global digital economy.
The country placed 15th on the rank out of 56 Commonwealth nations in a new study unveiled at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday, November 5.
The ranking puts Nigeria among a select group of countries recognised for their readiness to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the rapidly evolving AI industry.
Nigeria is also one of only three African countries to make the list, alongside Mauritius and South Africa.
The recognition came to a time when there is a growing demand for AI-related skills across industries, with technology increasingly shaping employment, education, business operations and innovation.
For Nigerian youths, the development presents an opportunity to explore emerging career paths in areas such as software development, data science, robotics, machine learning and AI-powered entrepreneurship.
However, translating the country’s ranking into meaningful opportunities will require sustained investment in digital education, affordable internet access, technology infrastructure and practical skills training.
With young people turning to digital platforms for learning, business and employment, strengthening AI education could help position more Nigerians to compete for opportunities in the global technology market.
The ranking also highlights the importance of preparing young people not just to use AI tools but to develop solutions that address local challenges and create employment opportunities.
As AI adoption expands globally, Nigeria’s challenge will be to turn its position among the Commonwealth’s leading countries into tangible benefits for its youthful population.
