The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Artificial intelligence

  • Fed Govt to advance digital health with Artificial Intelligence integration

    Fed Govt to advance digital health with Artificial Intelligence integration

    • By Olabisi Azeez

    The Federal Government is laying the groundwork for a robust digital health infrastructure that will integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Nigeria’s healthcare system, enhancing service delivery, policy formulation, and disease surveillance across the country. Dr. Leke Ojewale, Senior Technical Advisor to the Coordinating Minister of Health on Digital Health, highlighted these plans during a capacity-building workshop on AI for Public Health held in Abuja. Organised by Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact and Development (AI4SID) in partnership with key health agencies, the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of AI technologies and promote their safe, responsible application in healthcare.

    Ojewale explained that the Federal Ministry of Health, through its Nigerian Digital Health Architecture (NDHA), is building a unified framework for AI deployment in the healthcare ecosystem. “We are building the NDHA to ensure all AI tools in health plug into a single system. Registries for clients, facilities, and healthcare workers form the backbone of this framework,” he said, noting that these registries are crucial for identifying patients, tracking care, and monitoring service delivery. A key component, the Health Information Exchange, will enable hospitals and providers to share data securely, creating unified digital health records that support AI-driven diagnostics and treatment while safeguarding patient information.

    Dr. Francis Ohanyido, Director-General of the West African Institute of Public Health, described AI as transformative, emphasising that it complements rather than replaces human expertise. “Those who refuse to adapt risk losing relevance. AI must be a partner, not a threat,” he said, highlighting its potential to drive economic recovery, talent retention, and innovation.

    Read Also: ‘Artificial intelligence fuelling cyber frauds on SMEs’

    Dr. Bunmi Ajala, National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, added that AI could address Nigeria’s diagnostic, logistical, and disease surveillance challenges, enhancing outbreak detection, personalised medicine, and resource allocation. He stressed the importance of human oversight to maintain accountability and public trust.

    Dr. Kunle Kakanfo, Founder of AI4SID, explained that the organisation is advancing AI for social good, focusing on health, education, and gender inclusion. The workshop brought together professionals from ministries, NCDC, and the Primary Health Care Development Agency to co-create frameworks for ethical and safe AI implementation. AI4SID has also launched an AI for Social Good Hub in Abuja to foster cross-sector collaboration between health and technology experts. “AI can help Nigeria leapfrog challenges in health, education, and climate resilience. Collaboration, people-centric policies, and responsible innovation are key,” Kakanfo said.

    The workshop forms part of preparations for Nigeria’s first National AI in Health Conference, slated for May 2026 in Abuja, which will unveil strategies and frameworks guiding AI integration into the nation’s healthcare sector.

  • Pantami urges Nigerian universities to form AI task forces

    Pantami urges Nigerian universities to form AI task forces

    Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has urged Nigerian universities to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) task forces to guide the use of the technology in learning, teaching, research, and administration.

    Pantami made the call on Monday at the opening of a three-day national conference organised by Gombe State University, with the theme: “Generative AI: Transforming Education—Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations.”

    Delivering the keynote speech, he provided an overview of AI’s evolution and its transformative potential in education, noting that generative AI produces new and original content, including text, images, voice, and computer code.

    Professor Pantami highlighted significant global opportunities, stating that AI has the capacity to create 97 million jobs across continents and add $15 trillion to the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030.

    Asserting that AI will not replace human beings, he said, “those who learn how to use it will replace those who fail to learn it,” adding that accommodating ethical AI within their curricular structures will help students to compete globally.

    The African Union’s 4th Industrial Revolution Policy Council co-chairman cited AI-powered personalized learning and advanced research platforms, such as Zotero, Connected Papers, Research Rabbit, and Chat Academia.

    Pantami, however, identified challenges in deploying AI within the educational sector. Academic Integrity: Students are increasingly using AI to generate entire assignments and theses, making it difficult to distinguish original work.

    Data Privacy and Security: Concerns over how sensitive student and institutional data is stored and protected, given the growth of global data; Algorithmic Bias: The risk that AI systems may reflect biases present in their training data, potentially affecting fairness and outcomes.

    The former minister encouraged higher institutions in Nigeria to follow the approach of leading universities like Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology by immediately setting up AI working groups.

    The five recommendations by Pantami: Establishing AI task forces comprising academics, non-teaching staff, legal experts, and AI specialists to draft guidelines on AI use in students’ projects and staff research.

    Encouraging students to develop AI-related startups, leveraging the Nigeria Startup Act 2022 and government funding; Increasing investment in AI research and innovation by universities, state governments, and the federal government to ensure global competitiveness.

    Others are Providing continuous training for staff members to effectively integrate responsible AI into teaching and research; Acquiring platforms to detect plagiarism and AI-generated work to maintain academic integrity.

  • Is Nigeria’s software industry powerless in the age of AI?

    Is Nigeria’s software industry powerless in the age of AI?

    SIR: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rewriting the rules of global software development, creating new winners and leaving laggards behind. Across the world, countries are racing to integrate AI into their economies — from digital governance and financial services to health and education. Yet in Nigeria, the conversation remains fragmented, weighed down by institutional inertia, leadership wrangling, and a lack of coherent national direction.

    The uncomfortable question is: Has Nigeria’s software industry lost its voice in the age of AI?

    Nigeria’s software and digital services market, estimated at over US$2.4 billion in 2024, continues to grow steadily, driven by fintech, government digitisation, and education technology. But growth has not translated into global competitiveness or policy leverage.

    For a country of over 220 million people — and Africa’s largest concentration of software talent — Nigeria still lacks a clear AI strategy or institutional coordination framework to guide local innovation. Instead, the sector’s most visible professional bodies are caught in endless turf wars and leadership crises.

    The Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), once the torchbearer for local software advocacy, has grown moribund. Its silence on critical issues like AI ethics, software sovereignty, and indigenous intellectual property protection has been deafening. Similarly, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the umbrella body for IT professionals, has seen its influence weakened by internal divisions and inconsistent engagement with government.

    These fissures mean that as the world accelerates into the AI era, Nigeria’s software community lacks a unified voice capable of shaping national policy or safeguarding local innovation.

    Serial entrepreneur Leo Stan Ekeh, of Zinox Group, cautions that the AI race is meaningless without reliable infrastructure. “We can’t compete on AI with unstable power and inconsistent broadband. You can’t build intelligence on inefficiency,” he told a recent tech forum.

    Software advocate Chris Uwaje, former ISPON president, has long warned that “if Nigeria does not protect its software sovereignty, it risks becoming a digital colony.” He has repeatedly argued that indigenous software, not imported systems, should power government operations, citing success stories like Remita, the home-grown platform that revolutionised treasury payments.

    Read Also: Kebbi dismisses social media claims on alleged hidden airport in Argungu

    Their words echo a shared frustration — Nigeria has the talent, but not the structure.

    Globally, AI is transforming the software industry. Machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI architects are the new rock stars. In 2024 alone, global investment in AI startups surpassed US$70 billion, with Africa attracting less than 1%.

    In Nigeria, only a handful of firms — mainly in fintech and health-tech — are building AI-driven products. Universities are still catching up, with outdated curricula and limited access to computing infrastructure. The result is a widening skills and competitiveness gap.

    Meanwhile, international tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and AWS are embedding AI in every layer of their products, consolidating global dominance — while Nigerian developers remain trapped in survival mode, fighting for funding and visibility.

    Nigeria’s software practitioners are not short on ideas. What’s missing is coordination and political will.

    A revitalised ISPON and a forward-thinking NCS could: Push for a National AI Policy that balances innovation with ethics and sovereignty; champion local content laws mandating government and critical sectors to prioritise indigenous solutions; and, create an AI Fund to support startups building local-language models, agricultural analytics tools, and public-sector automation.

    Without this kind of unified agenda, the country will continue to import digital intelligence instead of exporting it.

    Nigeria stands at an inflection point. Its young population, entrepreneurial energy, and expanding digital infrastructure are undeniable strengths. But to seize the AI opportunity, it must first repair its foundations — governance within industry bodies, collaboration among stakeholders, and credible policy engagement with government.

    As Uwaje often says, “Software is the DNA of national development”. If that’s true, then AI is the new evolution of that DNA and Nigeria must decide whether to lead, follow, or be left behind.

    • Don Pedro Aganbi, <getdonpedro@gmail.com>.
  • Stakeholders urge teachers to embrace AI for future-ready education

    Stakeholders urge teachers to embrace AI for future-ready education

    Stakeholders in the education sector have urged teachers in the country to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) for future-ready education system.

    They made the call during the Train the Trainer-Teacher’s summit 2025 at the weekend in Abuja.

    Speaking at the summit, gender advocate, Hansatu Adegbite, underscored the need for teachers to integrate technology into their teaching practices to maintain relevance in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

    She noted that the future of education depended on how effectively educators adapt to technological advancements and leverage them to enhance learning outcomes.

    The keynote speaker noted that AI tools can help teachers personalise instruction, automate administrative tasks, and foster creativity among students, thereby creating a more engaging and efficient learning environment.

    Adegbite, who is also the Executive Director, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), urged teachers to view AI not as a threat but as an enabler that can empower them to deliver better results.

    Speaking on the theme, ‘Deconstruct the old, define the new’, the gender advocate challenged educators to rethink traditional teaching methods and embrace innovative strategies that align with the realities of the digital age.

    She highlighted the critical role of AI and technology in the future of education and the need for teachers to learn and adapt to these changes.

    She noted that deconstructing old models of education does not mean discarding foundational values but rather reimagining how those values can be expressed through modern tools and approaches.

    The Convener, Train the Trainer Teachers Summit, Dr Onyekachi Onwudike-Jumbo noted the collective responsibility of teachers, parents, and schools in educating children.

    She emphasised the importance of a standardised education system that provides equal opportunities for all students.

    Onwudike-Jumbo encouraged participants to take action and collaborate to improve the educational system.

    Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba underscored the need for educators to leave a lasting impact and celebrates the ongoing efforts to improve education.

    Represented by the Director, Social Mobilisation, UBEC, Dr. Ossom Ossom, the executive secretary highlighted ongoing reforms introduced by the commission, including sharing best practices, and empowering teachers to improve learning outcomes.

    She announced plans to train 875,000 teachers and introduce digital pedagogy in learning environments.

    “This initiative aims to equip teachers with the necessary skills to enhance classroom learning and ensure they can add value to the educational process,” the executive secretary added.

  • ‘Artificial intelligence fuelling cyber frauds on SMEs’

    ‘Artificial intelligence fuelling cyber frauds on SMEs’

    The digital threat landscape has evolved from clumsy email scams into sophisticated, artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced attacks that exploit the most vulnerable element of any organisation, which is its people.

    AI now empowers cybercriminals to craft convincing phishing campaigns, deepfake voice messages, and realistic video impersonations at scale. For small medium enterprises (SMEs) operating with limited information technology (IT) resources, these threats represent an “unseen tax,” a mounting financial burden that can devastate and cripple even profitable businesses.

    The primary attack vectors targeting businesses have been supercharged by AI capabilities. For example, research indicates up to 80 per cent of ransomware attacks now leverage AI, and one study showed a 202 per cent increase in the use of AI tools for crafting more convincing social engineering messages.

    According to October 2025 data, the financial impact of cyberattacks on small businesses has reached crisis levels, as security incidents now cost small businesses an average of $254,445 with some incidents going as high as $7 million, encompassing immediate losses, operational downtime, legal fees, and reputational damage.

    Verizon’s authoritative Data Breach Investigations Report showed that human error now drives 60 per cent of all data breaches, a reality that underscores that technology alone cannot solve cybersecurity challenges but employee vigilance remains paramount.

    Read Also: Tinubu approves N250,000 grant for outstanding MSMEs

    Phishing and credential theft account for 73per cent of breaches against SMBs, solidifying their position as leading entry points for attackers.

    The report identified shadow AI as the internal threat which SMEs did not budget for.

    Beyond external threats, employees increasingly adopt unsanctioned generative AI tools, a phenomenon cybersecurity professionals call “Shadow AI,” to boost productivity. This practice carries severe consequences:

    According to IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report, Shadow AI breaches cost organizations an additional $670,000 compared to other security incidents.

    It was discovered that 97per cent of organizations experiencing AI-related breaches lacked proper AI access controls, often because employees paste sensitive company data into public AI models without understanding the risk.

    To mark the Cybersecurity Awareness Month, experts at OutreachX, an AI-driven marketing agency that helps leading enterprises, eCommerce brands, and SaaS companies grow globally, have identified four foundational practices that empower employees to serve as the first line of defense:

    The first is enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Adding this security layer makes it exponentially harder for cybercriminals to access accounts, even after stealing passwords through phishing. MFA serves as the single most effective barrier against credential theft.

    The second is the use a password manager. Human-created passwords cannot withstand AI-powered cracking tools. Password managers generate and store complex, unique credentials for every account, eliminating password reuse.

    The others are recognizing and reporting phishing. This could achieved by training employees to identify phishing attempts, even sophisticated ones enhanced by AI. Organizations with regular, high-quality security training saw phishing reporting rates rise as high as 72 per cent, according to industry data.

    Then, organisations are enjoined to keep software updated. Regular patching closes known vulnerabilities that attackers exploit. Configure systems to automatically update whenever possible; then invest in awareness, not just technology.

    The “unseen tax” of cybercrime accelerates as AI tools become more accessible to attackers. For SMBs, protection requires more than expensive security software; it demands cultivating a security-aware culture where every employee understands their role in keeping the business safe.

    “This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, commit to making the “Core 4” a fundamental part of your operations. Your bottom line depends on it,” experts at OutreachX said.

  • Why organisations must use Artificial intelligence, by data analyst

    Why organisations must use Artificial intelligence, by data analyst

    A data analyst and research expert, Anthony Ogbaka, has urged organisations to harness the power of artificial intelligence, agile methods, and predictive analytics to transform how they plan, execute, and sustain projects.

    Agbaka said data were not only figures on a dashboard but the cornerstone of insight, vision, and wiser decisions.

    Speaking in an interaction with journalists in Benin City, Agbaka said he remained convinced that projects would be successful if evidence-based decisions were made and the decisions were people-centered.

    Agbaka urged organisations to consider data as a tool to empower teams and not to restrain them.

    He said he has helped organisations predict risks, make more effective decisions, and eliminate waste by applying AI to their lifecycle projects.

    Read Also: Hilda Baci to gift luxurious car to lucky student ahead of training session

    According to him, “The development of structures that provide a real-time representation of the project’s phases is among the most significant contributions to my work. Such AI-centric systems reveal hidden bottlenecks, identify unequal workloads, and even track stakeholder engagement.

    “Technology must be in the service of people. Digital tools enhance creativity and collaboration, thereby validating the importance of human insight as the primary focus of sustainable project success.

    “I help translate insights into action. Our platforms have helped startups grow with confidence, multinationals undergo complex transformations, and leaders adopt evidence-based approaches. Data is not merely information; it is the guide to change. Decisions made on insight make results endure.”

  • Top five side hustles from using AI

    Top five side hustles from using AI

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just for tech experts, it’s now a practical tool anyone can use to earn extra income. From writing assistants to image generators, AI is helping everyday people turn their creativity and time into cash, all from a laptop or phone. You don’t need to know how to code or have a computer science degree with the right tools and a little effort, you can start profitable AI-powered side hustles today. 

    Here are the Top 5 Side Hustles You Can Earn From Using AI

    1. AI-Powered Content Creation: Blogs, Social Media & More**

    Creating content is one of the easiest and most in-demand ways to earn with AI. Businesses constantly need blog posts, social media captions, website copy, newsletters, and more. AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Copy.ai  can help you generate polished content in minutes perfect for writers, marketers, or anyone offering content creation services.

    2. AI Design & Branding Made Easy

    Eye-catching graphics are essential for businesses, but not everyone can afford a designer. With tools like Canva AI, Adobe Firefly, and MidJourney,  you can create professional-quality logos, flyers, posters, and even full branding kits in no time. Ideal for freelancers, small business owners, and digital marketers looking to scale fast.

     3. AI Voiceovers & Audio Editing

    Voice content is booming from YouTube videos and ads to audiobooks and podcasts. Normally, high-quality voiceovers require expensive gear or studio time, but AI tools like ElevenLabs, Murf.ai,  and Descript allow you to generate realistic, studio-quality narrations in various voices, languages, and accents all from your laptop.

    4. AI for Online Education & Tutoring

    Teaching and tutoring are easier than ever with AI. Whether you’re creating an online course or offering private lessons, tools like Quizlet AI and ChatGPT help you generate lesson plans, quizzes, and even full course content quickly. Perfect for educators looking to save time while enhancing student engagement.

     5. AI in E-commerce & Digital Product Creation

    Digital products offer passive income opportunities, and AI can speed up the creation process. Think eBooks, planners, T-shirt designs, templates, or printable downloads all of which you can sell repeatedly online without dealing with inventory. AI tools help you brainstorm, design, and publish these products faster than ever.

  • Democracy in the age of Artificial Intelligence: Nigeria’s soft power and global responsibility

    Democracy in the age of Artificial Intelligence: Nigeria’s soft power and global responsibility

    By Ademola Oshodi

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a future disruptor; it is a present weapon for democracy which faces the dual pressures of internal erosion and external manipulation today. Around the world, AI is already being used to weaken democracies, manipulate public opinion, prop up authoritarian regimes and dampen diplomatic credibility. Yet the risks are not confined to national borders. A recent DW report warned that AI-driven disinformation could destabilise elections across Africa in the coming years. With 18 African countries scheduled to hold elections between 2025 and 2026, the stakes are global. As these reports emphasise, Africa is one of the key battlegrounds where the integrity of democracy will be tested by the malevolent use of AI. Technology has become a tool of destabilisation and control with AI-generated deepfakes sowing doubt in elections and synthetic propaganda amplifying the appeal of military juntas. This dual threat makes AI one of the defining battlegrounds of the 21st century, and for Nigeria, Africa’s most populous democracy, the question is not whether AI will shape our political and social life, but how we choose to govern AI in ways that strengthen our democracy rather than undermine it.

    The evidence is mounting. In Nigeria’s 2023 elections, deepfakes and coordinated disinformation campaigns flooded social media, fuelling polarisation and public scepticism about democratic institutions. This is not a uniquely Nigerian problem, but part of a global trend. A 2024 report from the Institute for Security + Technology warned that AI-powered disinformation campaigns are now a norm, with direct consequences for electoral integrity and citizen participation.

    What Nigeria experienced in 2023 is not an isolated episode. It is a preview of the aggressive information warfare already unfolding in its neighbourhood. In the Sahel, Technology is accelerating authoritarian consolidation. In Burkina Faso, for example, deepfake videos have transformed Captain Ibrahim Traoré into a mythic figure, depicted as Africa’s messiah in digital campaigns featuring AI-generated music, starlike endorsements, and grandiose claims about infrastructure and social programs. In one wave of AI-generated content, a synthetic announcement by American Pan-Africans purportedly supporting the junta surfaced days after France withdrew its troops. In Mali, manipulated content on social media frames France and the UN as complicit in prolonging insecurity and exploiting the region’s resources, while in Niger, AI-generated videos amplify pro-junta messaging and discredit calls for a return to civilian rule. These campaigns are often linked to Russian-influenced information networks, illustrating how generative AI is now a tool  in the geopolitical competition over Africa’s political future, shaping public support for undemocratic regimes and destabilising regional governance. If Nigeria fails to respond decisively, the same forces could undermine its institutions, deepen polarisation, and destabilise West Africa’s largest democracy.

    Meanwhile, surveys confirm the danger is real as faith in democracy is declining across Africa. Afrobarometer reports that while roughly two-thirds of Africans still prefer democratic rule, support has fallen by seven percentage points in the last decade due to military coups and corruption. In 2025, the Mo Ibrahim Index noted that 78 per cent of Africans live in countries where governance and democratic participation have worsened, often due to repression of civic and media freedoms. This context makes AI-fuelled disinformation a force multiplier for democratic decay because it accelerates the spread of false narratives, erodes trust in legitimate institutions, and overwhelms citizens’ ability to discern truth from fabrication. By amplifying conspiracy theories, delegitimising elections, and glorifying authoritarian figures, AI-driven campaigns deepen cynicism and normalise undemocratic alternatives. For Nigeria, this is a national security challenge, not just a technological one.

    The dual-use nature of AI – capable of tampering with democracies yet also empowering authoritarian actors – underscores the urgency of crafting global governance frameworks. The responsibility is twofold for Nigeria: to safeguard its democracy at home and to champion norms abroad that ensure technology does not undermine Africa’s democratic future. In that regard, democracy in the age of AI requires more than defensive measures. It demands proactive investment in digital literacy, robust regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation. Here, Nigeria can lead by example. With more than 220 million citizens, half of them under the age of 19, Nigeria represents both the vulnerability and potential of the digital era. A youthful population that is globally connected but unevenly protected from digital manipulation is at once a risk factor and a resource for resilience.

    This makes Nigeria the best-placed country to set the tone for an African-led response and the country has already begun to act in tangible ways. The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched the development of a National AI Policy Framework to regulate the ethical use of emerging technologies in governance and electoral processes. Just recently, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Nigeria unveiled N-ATLAS, a pioneering AI language model trained in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Nigerian-accented English – a bold signal that the country is staking its claim in shaping global AI technology in ways that reflect African voices and realities. Fact-checking civil society organisations such as Dubawa have deployed AI-powered tools to detect and debunk disinformation in real time, especially during election cycles. These domestic initiatives are reinforced by Nigeria’s multilateral engagement. The government is aligned with UNESCO to train its civil service on AI and digital governance, embedding global best practices into public institutions. Diplomatically, Nigeria has used its influence in ECOWAS and at the African Union to press for stronger regional standards on electoral integrity and emphasise African agency in multilateral forums. Taken together, these actions show that Nigeria is actively building the frameworks, tools, and alliances needed to protect democracy and set a model for the continent.

    Read Also: Senate proposes 10-year passport ban on Nigerians convicted abroad

    This is where Nigeria’s soft power can be most effective. Nollywood and Afrobeats are reshaping global perceptions of African creativity; extending this influence to digital democracy is a natural progression. Nigeria can spearhead a continental coalition on AI ethics, champion digital literacy campaigns targeting its massive youth population, and continue to press for African inclusion in global AI governance forums. Such initiatives would not only protect Nigeria’s democracy but also give Africa a voice in shaping the rules of a technology that will define the future of governance worldwide.

    Leadership also means leading by example. Nigeria’s own electoral reforms, including the digitisation of voter registration and the expansion of civic education, must be accelerated to show that technology can strengthen democracy. Regulation should focus not only on punitive measures but also on supporting innovation that defends civic space, protects human rights, and enhances transparency. Such leadership would reinforce Nigeria’s credibility as a defender of democratic norms in a period where coups and authoritarian backsliding have threatened regional stability.

    The age of AI will test democracies everywhere, but it also offers an opportunity to reimagine global cooperation. Nigeria has the size, the voice, and now the tools to lead Africa’s response. The choice is stark: allow external actors to script the future of its democracy or shape the rules of engagement for a digital century. Acting decisively now would turn Nigeria’s domestic vulnerabilities into diplomatic capital. That is the essence of soft power: projecting influence through culture or diplomacy, while embodying solutions that others seek to emulate.

    The world is entering uncharted territory where the boundaries between truth and falsehood can be engineered with a few lines of code. Nigeria cannot afford to be a passive recipient of these forces. Our responsibility, and indeed our opportunity, is to help shape how democracy survives, adapts and thrives in this new era.

    •Oshodi is Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Foreign Affairs and Protocol

  • ‘Nigeria, others must define AI future’

    ‘Nigeria, others must define AI future’

    As the deployment of Artificial intelligence (AI) gains global traction, the need for Nigeria and other countries in Africa to define their own AI future where ethics, inclusivity and safety guide progress.

    Co-Convener, AI in Nigeria, Ehia Erhaboh, who spoke ahead of third edition of the InnovateAI conference, said AI is reshaping industries, economies, and societies at an unprecedented pace, but innovation without trust and governance risks leaving people behind.

    Mastercard estimates the market size for AI in Africa this year to be $4.51 billion. A forecast compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.42per cent is expected to result in a market volume of $16.53 billion in 2030 which include speech recognition, image processing, autonomous vehicles, and services that enable organisations to develop and deploy AI applications.

     “AI is reshaping industries, economies, and societies at an unprecedented pace, but innovation without trust and governance risks leaving people behind. InnovateAI 2026 is a platform to ensure Africa defines its own AI future—one where ethics, inclusivity, and safety guide progress,” Erhabohsaid.

    He said the 2026 conference will be a defining moment in the country’s technological evolution, with the theme: Responsible AI beyond Innovation; Building on the successes of its previous editions, InnovateAI 2026 is poised to

    shape the national conversation on the critical issues of ethics, security, and governance in artificial intelligence. The inaugural InnovateAI 2024, themed; Adapting AI for Nigeria; successfully catalysed policy discussions and attracted over 4,000 physical attendees, including AI Innovators, Academia, Researchers and Policy Makers engaging in public and private sector discourse on AI. The recently concluded 2025 conference, themed: Scaling AI Adoption in Nigeria; expanded the

    event’s reach to over 6,000 physical participants, with live-streaming to twelve AI in Nigeria’s community hubs in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The conference addressed systemic challenges to scaling AI – talent, data, and compute infrastructure.

    The 2026 edition represents a crucial strategic evolution. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into daily life, this conference will shift its focus from adoption to a deep dive into the foundational principles necessary for sustainable and trustworthy growth.

    Read Also: Tinubu, dignitaries grace church service to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary

    In addition to showcasing responsible AI innovations across industries, the conference will feature a series of focused sessions to explore AI Governance in Africa: Establishing a framework for a trusted future; Deepfakes, Fraud &amp; Security Risks: Protecting Nigeria&#39;s Digital Society from Emerging Threats; and AI and Financial Services: Building trust in the fight against fraud and ensuring secure transactions. Others are Digital Literacy for All: Preparing citizens for the age of AI through education and empowerment; and Responsible AI Innovation: Balancing safety and growth to support Africa’s burgeoning startup scene.

    InnovateAI 2026 is poised to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, technology experts, and the public to forge a path forward that ensures AI serves as a force for good, fostering inclusive opportunities, improving healthcare, and enabling smarter governance.

    Organizations looking to shape Africa’s AI future are invited to become a partner or sponsor for InnovateAI 2026. This is a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the responsible AI movement, gain targeted visibility among key stakeholders, industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and investors – positioning themselves at the forefront of Africa’s responsible AI movement. Your support will directly contribute to a vital national dialogue on AI governance and digital literacy, helping to create a safer, more inclusive, and prosperous future for Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

    “This is not just a conference, it’s a catalyst for shaping Africa’s digital future,” said

    Dotun Adeoye, Co-Convener, AI in Nigeria. “Our partners’ support is essential in building a more equitable, secure, and prosperous AI ecosystem for Nigeria and beyond.”

  • Cleric urges journalists to uphold integrity amid AI challenges

    Cleric urges journalists to uphold integrity amid AI challenges

    Cleric urges journalists to uphold integrity amid AI challenges

    The lead cleric at Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, has called on journalists to remain steadfast custodians of truth and integrity in an era increasingly complicated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    Speaking at the annual Thanksgiving service of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held at Victory Life Bible Church (VLBC), Victory Cathedral, Abeokuta, marking the NUJ Press Week 2023 themed “The Future of Journalism: Navigating AI and Objective Reporting”, he stated that “Journalists must not be partisan,” underscoring the imperative for media practitioners to eschew political alignments that could have negative effects on the nation.

    “Journalists are custodians of integrity and fearlessness,” he affirmed, positing that journalists serve as vital bridges between governance and the governed. “We need journalists to write the wrongs in the society.

    “As journalists, you must not be allowed to be bought by money bags and should live up to expectation in the discharge of your duty,” he enjoined, echoing Walter Lippmann’s notion of journalists as “beamers of light” illuminating the public sphere.

    Achudume also dwelt on AI’s disruptive impact on journalism, noting technology’s encroachment on journalists’ métier.

    “The print media is now at risk; if care is not taken, it will lose out completely,” he warned. “A time is coming when we will not be able to differentiate the real news and the fake news.”

    He linked misinformation’s fog to journalists’ need for professionalism amidst proliferating online bloggers masquerading as legitimate practitioners.

    “Journalists should be distinct; they should up their game,” he continued. “Every nation needs sensible, resourceful, and reliable journalists.

    “AI has come to do more harm,” cautioning that current applications might suggest “as if God is not in existence” – underscoring ethical concerns.

    Read Also: Techpreneur Odo urges Nigerian youths to build value-driven solutions

    “I see journalists as partners in progress, and I will always support them,” he professed.

    Achudume commended Nigerian journalists, singling out Ogun State journalists for living up to expectations, urging them to enhance their performance so they won’t be relegated to the background.

    In a remark, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, Ogun State NUJ Chairman, lauded Apostle Achudume for consistent support to journalists. He eulogized the late Reverend Fola Achudume as a “virtuous woman of immense compassion, a beacon of goodness, and an exceptional leader whose impactful deeds and love for humanity left an enduring mark”, noting that the NUJ donated bags of rice and cartons of noodles to her Royal Ladies Foundation appreciating her gestures and love for journalists.

    The annual Thanksgiving service culminated with NUJ members dancing in their white and green attire, giving adoration to God, and praying fervently for continued guidance and blessings.