The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) commenced its 4th Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Summit in Owerri after sealing a working partnership with the Imo State Government to fast-track the region’s digital economy plans.
From 23 to 25 April, the three-day gathering at the Protea Hotel in Owerri has already drawn researchers, start-ups, investors, and policy-makers across West Africa.
Declaring the summit open, Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma stated that Imo was “determined to set the national pace in artificial intelligence,” adding that his administration has allocated new funds for broadband, an innovation hub, and STEM scholarships.
Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, NCS president described the gathering as “the Society’s most ambitious summit,” stressing that closer state–professional collaboration is vital if Nigeria is to implement the National AI Strategy unveiled by the Federal Ministry of Communications last December.
In a press statement signed by Mr. ‘Segun Adekunle, executive secretary, NCS, the President highlighted sessions on ethical governance, local-language large-language model development, and AI-driven precision agriculture as areas where Imo can pilot quick wins.
Tech entrepreneur Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman of Zinox Group and keynote speaker at the opening of the event, praised the governor’s “record-breaking” spend on human-capital development, urging Nigerian banks to align public commitments with seed funding for southeast founders.
Running under the theme, “Enabling Artificial Intelligence Systems for Rapid National Growth,” the summit combines high-level policy dialogue with hands-on innovation: over three days, delegates will transition from keynote debates to technical workshops, participate in an AI Challenge student hackathon, engage in a start-up expo, and take part in investor round-tables, with a closing communiqué expected to outline an NCS–Imo roadmap for an AI Innovation & Capacity-Building Centre scheduled to open later this year.
NCS officials say insights from the sessions will be forwarded to federal and state legislators as Nigeria prepares to implement the National AI Strategy released in December.
The summit continues today with panels on smart-city deployment and generative AI applications in health and education.
It will conclude tomorrow with the presentation of hackathon winners and the signing of a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigeria Computer Society and the Imo State Government.
