About us
NAIL (Nigerian AI Research Lab)
The Nigeria AI Research Lab (NAIL) is an academic research initiative based at the University of Lagos, focused on advancing human-centred, interdisciplinary AI research for education and human development in Africa.
NAIL (Nigerian AI Research Lab)
Based at the University of Lagos and supported by the AI4D Initiative (IDRC & FCDO), NAIL brings together researchers, educators, and practitioners to explore how artificial intelligence can be designed, tested, and applied responsibly in real educational contexts.
Our work connects academic research with real-world learning environments, ensuring that AI innovation responds to the realities, needs, and opportunities of African education systems.
Our Mission
To advance responsible, inclusive, and impactful AI research that improves learning outcomes, supports capacity building, and contributes to the development of education systems across Africa.
Our Vision
To become a leading African research lab shaping the future of AI in education grounded in local context, informed by global research, and driven by human development.
Our Values
To become a leading African research lab shaping the future of AI in education grounded in local context, informed by global research, and driven by human development.
What we do
Our Core Focus
NAIL anchors its work on three interconnected pillars that define both our identity and our impact.
Education and Learning
We explore how AI can improve access, equality, and outcomes in education. Our projects investigate the use of AI tools in classrooms, the protection of learners’ data and privacy, and the ways in which intelligent systems can reduce not reinforce educational inequalities.
Gender Inequality and Inclusion
We are intentional about ensuring that AI development and adoption do not widen existing gender gaps. Our work examines how AI can equally empower women and girls as well as their male counterparts, amplify their voices in technology spaces, and create safer, more inclusive digital environments.
Social equity and innovation
We leverage AI to address systemic inequities across society. This includes developing solutions that prioritize accessibility, fostering inclusive innovation ecosystems, and influencing policies that ensure no one is left behind in Africa’s AI journey.
Who we are associated with
Our Partners
The Nigeria AI Research Lab is funded through the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) initiative, made possible by a strategic partnership between Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The Lab collaborates with top institutions and global innovators to advance Africa’s AI ecosystem.
Our strategic partners include: The University of Lagos (UNILAG) in collaboration with: NITDA IT Hub (NITHUB, AI and Robotics Lab (AIRLAB), UNILAG, Data Science Nigeria (DSN), Masakhane, YorubaNames.org, HausaNLP, Institute for African and Diaspora Studies (IADS), Centre for Digital Humanities, UNILAG
How We Work
Our research is organized into interconnected Work Packages that move ideas from exploration to real-world impact. Each Work Package plays a distinct role in ensuring that research leads to practical outcomes, from discovery to adoption.
Leadership at Nail
“The Nigeria AI Research Lab was founded on a simple but urgent belief: that Africa must not only consume artificial intelligence, but actively shape it. At NAIL, we are building a research ecosystem where innovation is rigorous, ethical, and locally grounded while remaining globally competitive.
