‘Localised knowledge, when treated seriously, can have national impact’

Samuel Adeniji is a Nigerian-born technology educator and AI systems researcher whose work bridges digital literacy, cybersecurity equity, and scalable cloud intelligence frameworks. In this interview, he reflects on the journey from local curriculum reform in Nigeria to shaping conversations on AI governance and digital citizenship frameworks in international contexts. JOHN SALAU brings the excerpts:

Nigeria is currently playing catch-up both in AI & cyber security (technology space generally) how can we leapfrog to close talent gap in the tech ecosystem?

Nigeria’s position in playing catch-up in AI and cybersecurity stems from historical underinvestment in tech infrastructure and education, but our youthful population and growing digital economy provide a unique opportunity to leapfrog ahead. The talent gap is evident in high demand for skills amid rising threats, but we can close it by focusing on strategic, accelerated development rather than incremental steps. To leapfrog, first, implement the National AI Strategy’s pillars aggressively: prioritize economic growth through AI in key sectors like finance and healthcare, while building robust infrastructure and nurturing local talent via public-private partnerships. This means government funding for AI R&D, as suggested in recent analyses, to create innovation hubs and scholarships that attract and retain talent. Second, establish specialized training programs like cybersecurity academies with real-world labs, drawing on global models to fast-track skills in AI ethics, threat detection, and cloud security. Third, leverage transnational networks such as the ones I’m advocating for, to bring in U.S. expertise for joint fellowships and knowledge transfer, allowing Nigeria to adopt cutting-edge tools without reinventing the wheel. Additionally, treat cybersecurity as a cultural and competitive asset: integrate it into national curricula early, as in my textbook series, and encourage proactive strategies like AI investments to safeguard the digital economy. With UNESCO’s digital transformation plans emphasizing literacy and skills, we can scale community-based programs like RCRI nationwide to build a broad talent pipeline. If executed boldly, Nigeria could position itself as Africa’s AI leader, turning our demographic advantage into a tech powerhouse

What gap have you seen in the AI, cyber security space in Nigeria, and how can we bridge these gaps?

From my work on the ground in Nigeria, including the RCRI where we trained over 6,000 rural participants, I’ve seen a profound talent gap in AI and cybersecurity expertise, which leaves the country vulnerable to escalating threats. This isn’t just about a lack of skilled professionals; it’s compounded by low awareness, especially in SMEs and rural areas, leading to issues like data leaks, malware, and AI-powered attacks that cost Nigeria around $500 million annually in cybercrime losses. Businesses and governments are often unprepared for AI-amplified threats, such as deepfakes or sophisticated phishing, with Nigeria facing over 4,388 weekly cyberattacks. In urban centers, there’s some progress, but the divide is stark: many lack the infrastructure or training to adopt proactive defenses, resulting in a reactive approach that can’t keep up with intensifying AI-driven cybercrimes. To bridge these gaps, we need a multifaceted strategy starting with massive upskilling investments. The Nigerian government’s National AI Strategy (NAIS) is a strong foundation, emphasizing indigenous expertise and ethical frameworks. We can build on this by creating specialized academies, like the proposed Cybersecurity Academy with simulation labs and tailored curricula, to train thousands in AI and cyber defense. Public-private partnerships are key, collaborating with firms like Deloitte or PwC to fund R&D and integrate AI-driven solutions into businesses while prioritizing digital literacy in schools and communities. From my perspective, initiatives like fellowships and cross-border knowledge sharing (e.g., linking Nigerian ministries with U.S. programs) can accelerate this, ensuring that training is practical and inclusive, reaching underserved areas to foster a culture of cybersecurity as a competitive advantage.

As a researcher, how do your current research connect back to your earlier digital literacy work in Nigeria?

My research in the U.S. focuses on AI-based cybersecurity frameworks and scalable digital risk models, particularly for public systems. But in many ways, I see it as a continuation of the same journey. Whether in a rural town in Kebbi State or a cloud system in a U.S. healthcare institution, the principle is the same; people deserve to benefit from technology without being exposed to disproportionate risk. I am working on developing modular cybersecurity and AI literacy toolkits that can be adapted across contexts, from community training in Africa to enterprise systems in the U.S. My long-term goal is to build cross-border technology resilience programs that allow knowledge, not just tools, to circulate globally.

Can you speak to how grassroots cybersecurity education influenced your broader work in AI and cloud computing?

RCRI started when I noticed rural communities in Northern Nigeria were adopting digital tools such as mobile money, WhatsApp communication without any cybersecurity literacy. People were being defrauded not because they were careless, but because cybersecurity education simply didn’t exist at their level. We trained over 6,000 participants across rural communities, and I saw firsthand that technology without literacy creates new forms of vulnerability. That experience shaped how I think about AI and cybersecurity today. It convinced me that innovation must travel with capacity building. So when I began working on AI-driven cloud security models in the U.S., I carried that conviction with me that digital defense must be inclusive, not built only for those already inside the ecosystem.

As a researcher, what influenced on interest in writing books on ICT curriculum resource?

To be honest, I didn’t begin with the ambition of writing the “most widely adopted” ICT textbook in Nigeria. My concern was simpler and more personal. I saw too many students learning computer science only in theory, without context or access. In many schools, especially outside urban centers, ICT was being taught from abstract, foreign-designed textbooks that didn’t reflect our realities. Students memorized definitions but couldn’t see technology as something they could truly participate in. So my goal was not just to write a textbook, but to design a digital literacy tool that speaks in the language of Nigerian classrooms, using examples that reflect our markets, our households, our devices, even our infrastructural constraints. The fact that it grew to over 5 million distributed copies across schools and state curricula is something I remain deeply humbled by. It affirmed that localized knowledge, when treated seriously, can have national impact.

How did you scale a curriculum model into national reach?

The growth was driven by educators themselves. When teachers in Kwara and Lagos began to use the books, they started reporting improved engagement from students. That led to formal reviews by state curriculum boards, and eventually to Ministry of Education approvals in multiple states. Later, institutions like AltSchool Africa, which trains tens of thousands of young people in tech careers, reached out. They told me the series helped them bridge digital literacy gaps among new entrants from public school systems. That moment was important to me because it showed that a book designed for rural classrooms could also become useful in a modern edtech ecosystem. I didn’t just want a book in schools; I wanted ICT to feel like a language that Nigerian students could claim with confidence. That vision, I think, resonated with both policymakers and teachers.

Many countries are talking about AI equity and cybersecurity capacity gaps. What is your vision for bridging both spheres?

My vision is to build what I call “Digital Citizenship Infrastructures” systems that don’t simply deploy technology, but cultivate literate, protected, and empowered users. Practically, this includes developing AI literacy labs, cybersecurity resilience fellowships for African and U.S.-based young professionals, and cross-government advisory models that help ministries and school systems translate high-level digital policy into real classroom and community practice. If we can train educators, community technology ambassadors, and cloud security professionals in one connected pipeline, we can create not just users of technology, but custodians of digital futures.

How do you intend to go about the initiative on digital citizenship infrastructures?

I’ll implement it in phases: Start with piloting AI literacy labs in Nigeria and the U.S., partnering with schools and nonprofits for hands-on workshops using culturally adapted modules from my textbook series. Then, launch year-long cybersecurity fellowships for young professionals, fostering U.S.-Nigeria collaborations on AI threat detection projects. Finally, advise governments on policy integration via the Transnational Digital Resilience Network, securing grants from edtech firms and international bodies. Aim: Train 10,000 participants in two years, measuring success through reduced fraud and broader adoption.

Are you considering building institutional partnerships between Nigeria, U.S. tech programs, and AI research ecosystems?

Yes, that is the direction my work is moving towards. I am already in preliminary discussions to establish a Transnational Digital Resilience Network, a platform connecting state education boards in Nigeria with AI and cybersecurity training institutions in the U.S. The aim is to ensure that Nigeria continue to expand its digital literacy and building relationships with US based researchers to help build that bridge.

Finally, if you were to define your mission in one sentence, from textbooks to AI research, what would it be?

If I were to put it simply, I would say: my mission is to ensure that ordinary people, whether in a rural school in Nigeria or a data center in the U.S. can engage with technology not as passive users, but as protected, informed digital citizens.