AI in Nigeria is a growing community of forward-thinking leaders and tech enthusiasts striving to place Nigeria at the forefront of the global AI revolution. On February 21, 2025, they hosted InnovateAI Lagos 2025 at the Landmark Event Centre, marking the highly anticipated second edition of their flagship AI conference.
The theme “Scaling AI Adoption in Nigeria” sparked engaging conversations about the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI across industries, bringing together innovators, experts, and changemakers eager to shape the future.
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The InnovateAI Conference Lagos fostered the exchange of knowledge, insights, and groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence.
This annual event brings together over 4,000 AI enthusiasts, industry experts, scholars, and innovators from the public and private sectors and academia from around the world.
“Inclusion is not just about giving everybody a place. It’s about ensuring that they never have to fight for one.” – Stephanie Egharevba, Mastercard Foundation
Exclusion isn’t always loud—it’s in spaces designed without certain people in mind. A student with a disability struggles with accessibility. A woman in tech working twice as hard yet overlooked. Exclusion is our problem. Progress depends on building doors wide enough for everyone, amplifying voices, and ensuring no one has to fight for a seat at the table. Inclusion isn’t optional—it’s the future, and it starts with us. Is this a quote? No
Panel discussions & key takeaways
Throughout the day, engaging panel discussions covered topics such as:
Panel Discussion 1: Policymaker – The state of AI across Nigeria
This session featured notable panellists, including Sade Dada (Head of Public Policy, Meta, Anglophone West Africa), Temi Kolawole (Managing Director, Ilorin Innovation Hub), Olatundun Adekunte (Director, Ogun State Bureau for Information Technology), Prof Goselle Obed Nanjul (Plateau State Commissioner for Science, Innovation, and Digital Economy), Chinwe Okoli (SA to the Governor of Anambra State on Innovation & Business Incubation), and Dr. Babatunde Obrimah (COO, FintechNGR). Their discussions centered on how policymakers can help shape the landscape of AI adoption in Nigeria.
Panel Discussion 2: Computer & Data focuses on Strengthening the digital infrastructure for AI scalability in Nigeria. Panellists were Industry leaders in computing, cloud infrastructure, and AI deployment, including Yen Choi Co-Founder | Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Netcom Africa,
Engr Ikechukwu Nnamani, founder of Medallion Data Centre, Dr Krishnan Ranganath, West Africa & Morocco regional executive, Africa Data Centre, and many more.
Panel Discussion 3: Al & The Future of Work in Nigeria focuses on Accelerating Al’s education and workforce readiness to meet sectoral demands (Al & the Future of Work).
Panellists include Al/Computer Science Academics, HR leaders, and IT Leaders, including Olayinka David-West Dean, Lagos Business School, Lara Yeku HR Director, Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC, Franklin Ali Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Interswitch and many more.
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Additionally, Al Town Hall discussion titled ‘ Al Startup Panel with Rodger Werkhoven’ highlighted Conversations by selected startups showcasing transformative Al solutions and products in Nigeria, which include speakers like Oladipo Aina Vice President – Technology, Kuda, Omonigho Aito-Imönah is the CEO and creative Lead of Naijafashionista, Shamsudeen Jibril is the Co-Founder of VORA, Aisha Tofa is the ED and Executive Board Member of Kano Startup and many more.
The co-founders of AI in Nigeria highlighted the country’s AI evolution over the past year and their vision for wider adoption.
“We’ve helped businesses across finance, insurance, and beyond not just understand AI but integrate it strategically.”
Their focus is on AI readiness—ensuring companies assess their preparedness before adoption. “The real question isn’t just ‘Should you adopt AI?’ but ‘Are you ready for it?’”
By guiding businesses through this journey, AI in Nigeria is driving sustainable adoption.
