Speaking at the Data Science Nigeria (DSN) 2025 AI Bootcamp held at the University of Lagos, Sanya challenged young innovators to focus on how they use technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to solve real societal problems.

“For me, the key message is: what are we doing with the knowledge we have? How are we impacting our communities, our nation, and the world?” she said. “The moment we can crack that, then we are truly on to something.”

Sanya, who has worked extensively on empowerment and capacity-building initiatives, underscored the need for greater synergy between the classroom and industry, citing global examples where interdisciplinary collaboration has yielded innovation.

“In countries like the Netherlands, engineers and medical doctors work together to optimize healthcare processes. We need to replicate that kind of collaboration here, bridging the gap between universities, industries, and communities,” she said. “At the end of the day, the knowledge we acquire should make industries better and positively impact the community.”

Driving Inclusivity: Women and Language in AI

On gender inclusivity, Sanya noted that while efforts to increase women’s participation in science and technology are gaining ground, more deliberate social reorientation and educational reforms are required.

“It’s not just about women in AI, but women in tech and science generally. Through our STEM scholarships, we’ve achieved a 50-50 gender balance this year, without lowering standards,” she shared. “We must socialize girls early, reorient our education system, and even recruit traditional, religious, and community leaders as champions of this cause.”

She proposed integrating AI learning into community spaces such as churches, mosques, and local centers to make knowledge accessible to women who may not have the opportunity to attend formal institutions.

Sanya also addressed the need to overcome language barriers to inclusion, describing linguistic diversity as Nigeria’s hidden digital divide.

“Inclusivity in Nigeria is not just about gender, it’s about language. With over 200 local languages, people should be able to learn in their native tongue,” she said. “Breaking the language barrier will help bridge gaps in literacy and numeracy, allowing millions of out-of-school children and even adults to benefit from AI-driven learning.”

MTN Foundation’s Broader Vision

Highlighting MTN Foundation’s role in youth empowerment, Sanya reaffirmed that the Foundation remains committed to creating opportunities for young Nigerians through initiatives in health, education, and digital skills.

“For us at the Foundation, it’s all about young people. Whether it’s in health, where we focus on mothers and children, or in youth development, we’re deeply committed to the Nigerian youth,” she stated. “DSN is doing a great job, and our participation here reinforces our commitment to supporting initiatives that prepare young people for the future.”

When asked about the key skills required for Africa’s digital future, Sanya stressed the importance of problem-solving, collaboration, and ethical AI use.

“You must be able to solve problems. Knowledge without the ability to solve real issues doesn’t create impact,” she said. “We must humanize our use of data and apply AI ethically and responsibly.”

She concluded by describing Africa’s AI future in one word: “Limitless.”

Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, acting director of the NITDA IT Hub (NITHub) at the University of Lagos, emphasized the importance of lifelong learning, collaboration, leadership, problem-solving, and analytical thinking as essential skill sets for individuals seeking to remain competitive in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

This strategic elevation underscores DSN’s commitment to delivering transformational, inclusive, and scalable AI-driven solutions rooted in Africa’s unique development context.

Chinazo’s appointment reflects not only her proven business and technical excellence but also DSN’s dedication to nurturing homegrown talent capable of leading Africa’s AI journey on the global stage.

An accomplished AI and geospatial executive, Chinazo brings more than thirteen years of postgraduate experience across multiple sectors, regions, and domains.

Her journey with DSN began in 2019 as a participant in the organization’s flagship AI Bootcamp, a remarkable progression that embodies DSN’s mission to develop and elevate indigenous talent.

She formally joined DSN in 2020 and has since distinguished herself through her operational depth, innovation, and ability to translate complex ideas into practical solutions with measurable impact.

In her most recent role as Geospatial Business Lead, Chinazo spearheaded the development of an AI-powered intelligent microplanning platform that is revolutionizing last-mile healthcare delivery through real-time geospatial insights.

She also led the Meta-funded Geospatial Data for Good Health Project, which spanned Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, and Nigeria, training over 500 young professionals and curating the first Geospatial Machine Learning Workshop at Deep Learning Indaba, Africa’s foremost AI conference.

Her innovation track record further includes the conception and development of SpotOn, a digital inclusion platform that empowers small and informal businesses through location-based discovery and digital storefronts.

Her leadership has earned global acclaim. In 2023, her team at DSN received the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Grand Challenge Award for work at the intersection of large language models and localized learning systems. In 2024, her geospatial team gained international recognition at NASA’s Pale Blue Dot Challenge for a pioneering visualization solution.

She has also contributed to global development systems, including being part of the team that lead the adaptation of the open-source DHIS2 platform into a scalable governance tool for emerging markets, earning commendation in Norway for its uniqueness and impact.

Currently, she is advancing a strategic partnership with the University of Southampton’s WorldPop Lab, driving AI-powered geospatial innovations for inclusive economic planning in low- and middle-income countries.

As Director, AI Solutions Delivery, Chinazo will oversee DSN’s strategic planning and execution of solution delivery, managing AI engineering, data science, geospatial analytics, and product solutioning teams.

She will also serve as a senior liaison with DSN’s partners, ensuring that every solution is contextually relevant, technically sound, and delivers measurable socio-economic impact.

Beyond operations, she will lead knowledge management, technical capacity building, and solution commercialization, reinforcing DSN’s role as a thought leader in responsible and inclusive AI.

Speaking on her appointment, Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi, founder and CEO of Data Science Nigeria, noted that Chinazo’s elevation marks a new chapter for DSN as it continues to scale impactful AI solutions for Africa and beyond.

He highlighted that her journey, beginning as a participant at the AI Bootcamp and culminating in her new leadership role, demonstrates the power of nurturing indigenous talent to address Africa’s challenges with global excellence.

With this appointment, DSN reaffirms its readiness to deepen engagements with partners and to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and transformative AI solutions across multiple domains.

With 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the continent holds one of the largest untapped human resource pools globally.

However, whether this will likely become prosperity or stagnation depends on the decisions being made now, as the issue of infrastructural and skills challenges is still unresolved. 

AI Clusters

In 2023, venture capital investment in African AI and DeepTech startups hit $1.2 billion. AI innovation clusters—geographic hubs where businesses, research institutions, and communities collaborate—are leading these initiatives in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt. 

These clusters, as revealed in a report by Caribou Digital, promise job creation, new enterprises, and economic growth, but some risks must not be ignored.

Grassroots initiatives like Data Science Nigeria and Zindi have helped in bridging skills gaps, providing training and mentorship opportunities to young professionals. 

They have elevated Africa’s AI ecosystem globally, yet remain underfunded and overly reliant on volunteerism.

“We have the talent and creativity, but without sustained investment and coordination, we risk losing the battle against unemployment,” warns Ruth Nduta, a member of Zindi.

The Hidden Costs: Infrastructure and Skills Gaps

The report reveals that Africa’s progress in AI is limited by fundamental gaps in infrastructure. Reliable electricity, affordable internet, and access to advanced computing resources remain scarce across much of the continent. 

For example, Nigeria, despite being a hotspot for AI startups, still has crippling power shortages that limit innovation and growth.

Ojoma Ochai, managing director at Co-Creation Hub Africa, wrote: “An issue is that computing capacity is limited on the continent. We lack GPUs and the infrastructure necessary for large-scale AI innovation. These barriers make it hard for startups to scale.”

Again, while Africa’s youth are eager to engage with AI, the skills gap is still large. Many young professionals have theoretical knowledge but lack practical experience. 

The mismatch between industry needs and the skills available is a big issue, leaving many positions unfilled despite high unemployment.

Uneven Growth: Who Benefits?

While investments pour into AI-enabled sectors like healthcare and agriculture, it is argued that the benefits may not be evenly distributed. 

Jobs at the lower end of the AI value chain, such as data annotation, are often outsourced to Africa but come with low pay and little opportunity for advancement.

“The reality for many workers is exploitation. AI companies take advantage of high unemployment settings to maximise profits without creating meaningful opportunities for career growth,” says Adio Dinika, an AI ethics researcher.

Gender disparities further exacerbate inequality. Women remain underrepresented in the AI sector, particularly in rural areas. Without targeted interventions, these systemic issues threaten to sabotage the inclusive potential of AI innovation clusters.

Caution and Collaboration is Required

The report urges governments, private investors, and donors to adopt a coordinated approach to realise the full potential of AI clusters. Key recommendations include:

1. Investing in Infrastructure: Developing reliable electricity, affordable internet, and regional data centres to support innovation.
2. Upskilling the Workforce: Expanding grassroots initiatives and fostering university-industry partnerships to bridge the skills gap.
3. Ethical AI Practices: Ensuring fair labour practices and inclusivity, particularly for women and marginalised communities.
4. Policy Alignment: Creating sector-specific AI policies that balance innovation with ethical considerations.

Without these measures, Africa risks squandering its $1.2 billion AI investments and exacerbating existing inequalities. The stakes are high: this is not just about technology but the future of work and livelihoods for millions of young Africans.

“AI is not a magic solution—it’s a tool. If we fail to build the systems and policies around it, we risk deepening the very problems it promises to solve,” warns Dr Seydina Ndiaye, an AI researcher.

This initiative aims to create a safer digital environment by equipping parents, teachers, and guardians with the knowledge and tools needed to help young people safely navigate TikTok and the broader digital landscape.

The #SaferTogether efforts, launched in 2022, have already made significant strides in improving digital safety awareness across Nigeria. Phase 1 focused on educating 537 teachers and 1,037 parents in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, and Kano on TikTok’s safety features and promoting positive mental health in digital environments.

Building on the success of Phase 1, Phase 2 will expand with the inclusion of NITDA as a strategic partner.

This partnership aligns with NITDA’s mission to foster digital literacy, enhance technology infrastructure, and support inclusive access to digital tools and services.

Together, TikTok, NITDA, and DSN are committed to making Nigerian cyberspace safer for all while strengthening cybersecurity and digital trust.

Phase 2 of the #SaferTogether campaign will extend its reach to more regions, including participation from Edo and Kaduna, covering topics such as misinformation, cyberbullying, sexting, digital citizenship, fake news, child sexual violence, and data protection.

These workshops will engage a broad range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, government representatives, community leaders, parents, teachers, and guardians.

Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok’s Government Relations and Public Policy Director for Africa, underscored TikTok’s steadfast commitment to user safety:

“We believe that empowering parents, teachers, and guardians with digital literacy skills is not just about protecting users—it is about enabling an informed community to actively shape a safer digital environment for everyone. Our dedication to community safety remains unwavering, and through local partnerships, like our collaboration with DSN, we are extending these educational resources beyond our platform, building a resilient and knowledgeable online community.”

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DSN will develop content and curriculum for Phase 2, guided by TikTok’s Trust and Safety team to highlight TikTok’s safety tools and features.

Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi, founder and CEO of Data Science Nigeria, emphasized, 

“The digital world is now part of our daily lives for learning, engagement, and socializing. We have a shared responsibility to make this space safer, and we are excited to continue with the Safer Together campaign, providing parents, teachers and guardians with essential insights on digital wellness.”

TikTok offers resources for parents and guardians through its centralized Safety Centre and Guardian’s Guide, providing updated information on best practices for digital safety.

The Google.org funding aims to advance AI-driven innovation across Nigeria, enabling talent development and supporting solutions that address local challenges.

Directed to Data Science Nigeria, the funding will bolster the Ministry’s ongoing AI-driven initiatives to upskill youth and under- and unemployed Nigerians, with a focus on AI skill development and education.

This grant is part of Google.org’s broader $5.8million commitment to support digital skills programs across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, emphasised the importance of this support in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation: “This support from Google is a testament to our commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation.

“By leveraging Google’s expertise and resources, we are creating opportunities to equip Nigerians with the skills they need to thrive in the global digital economy. This is a major step forward in our journey towards a more inclusive and innovative future for all Nigerians.”

The N2.8billion Google.org grant will support Data Science Nigeria’s work with the Federal Ministry’s AI talent development programs, including:

• DeepTech Ready Upskilling Programme: To provide 20,000 young Nigerians with advanced technical skills in data science and AI, preparing them for careers in this rapidly growing field.

• Experience AI Programme: To equip 25,000 educators with the tools and resources to teach 125,000 young people about AI, inspiring the next generation of AI innovators.

• Government AI Campus Programme: To upskill policymakers and public servants in AI policymaking, ensuring that Nigeria’s AI policies are developed and implemented responsibly.

Earlier this year, the Ministry set the stage for AI integration in Nigeria by hosting the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) Workshop, followed by the release of the National AI Intelligence Strategy.

This strategy aims to leverage AI to drive economic growth, improve governance, and enhance the well-being of all Nigerians. This new support from Google.org will build on this strong foundation, further cementing Nigeria’s position as a leader in AI innovation on the continent.

In a significant step toward advancing the AI ecosystem, the Ministry and Google also announced the selected beneficiaries of the AI Fund, established by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in collaboration with Google.

The Fund will see each selected startup receive ₦100million in funding, along with up to $3.5million in Google Cloud Credits to help scale their solutions.

Additionally, these startups will gain access to Google’s world-class AI tools, mentorship from Google’s AI experts, and opportunities to connect with a global network of innovators and partners.

The 10 startups selected for the AI Fund are:

• BetaLife Health: Leverages AI to predict demand and match blood types for Africa’s blood supply needs.

• Bunce: AI-driven platform that centralises and personalizes customer engagement for businesses

• CDIAL AI: Enables seamless text-to-speech and speech-to-text AI functionality in 13 languages across underserved regions.

• Farmspeak: Leverages AI to support livestock farmers with disease detection and climate control.

• Lendsqr: Streamlines lending operations using AI, empowering global lenders and borrowers.

• ProDevs: Connects global companies with vetted African tech talent through AI-driven pre-classification and job matching.

• Rana Energy: AI-powered energy management optimising sustainable power for underserved users.

• SaaSPro Health: AI-driven healthcare documentation with tailored tools for Nigerian doctors.

• Towntalk: Leverages AI to provide contextual security insights for African communities, empowering informed decision making.

• Trade Lenda:  Streamlines credit analysis for MSMEs using AI, facilitating access to financing.

By focusing on sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, the startups will play a crucial role in addressing local challenges and driving sustainable economic growth through AI.

Matt Brittin, president of Google for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, shared Google’s commitment to Africa’s innovation ecosystem:

“Across Africa, entrepreneurs are harnessing the power of technology, including AI, to address large-scale societal challenges. Google remains committed to supporting these innovators, helping them expand their impact across the continent and beyond. Our work in Africa has always been about unlocking the digital economy’s benefits for more people, and this collaboration continues that mission.”

This initiative aligns with a broader report highlighting the economic potential of AI in Nigeria. According to recent findings from Public First, Artificial Intelligence could add as much as $15billion to Nigeria’s economy by 2030.

By equipping local entrepreneurs and innovators with the tools, resources, and training needed to leverage AI, this initiative seeks to harness that potential, further reinforcing why this collaboration is vital for Nigeria’s digital future.

It builds on Google’s N1.2billion commitment to Nigeria, announced in 2023, aimed at empowering 20,000 Nigerians through digital skills and economic growth programs.

Through this support, the Ministry, alongside Google, aims to build a sustainable AI ecosystem that will not only foster innovation but also drive economic and social impact across Nigeria.

The summit gathered leaders from various sectors and NGOs to learn and network collaboratively, showcasing the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for non-profits and social enterprises.

AI offers great potential for non-profits to transform their social impact interventions at scale. As a general-purpose technology, it can improve the quality of lives of citizens in various sectors, such as health, financial inclusion, agriculture, and education.

By showcasing how AI can significantly improve efficiency, scale impact, and address socio-economic challenges, the summit demonstrated the relevance and importance of AI for low-resourced countries like Nigeria.

During the event, Winnie Karanu, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) philanthropies lead at Microsoft, reaffirmed Microsoft’s commitment to driving AI transformation in the sector, stating:

“At Microsoft, we believe that AI can be a powerful force for good in Nigeria, where it can help solve some of the most pressing challenges facing the country. That is why we are dedicated to equipping non-profits with the AI tools and knowledge they need to amplify their impact and create a more prosperous and sustainable future for all.“

An engaging panel discussion moderated by Dr. Bayo Adekanmbi, CEO/Founder of Data Science Nigeria, focused on the role of AI in social good, sharing practical examples and emphasizing the importance of ethical AI development.

The panel included top professionals such as Dr. Oladipupo Sennaike, a senior lecturer from the University of Lagos and one of the principal investigators of the EduAI Hub; Ms. Odunayo Sanya, executive director of MTN Foundation; Dr. Frederick Atenaga, Information Management Officer and expert on Humanitarian Affairs; and Mr. Sunday Taiwo, Head ICT and Vice President of GIEVA, the grant winner of the renowned Microsoft and DataDotOrg Grant.

Participants at the Summit also engaged in hands-on workshops, acquiring practical AI skills to apply in their organizations, and explored a variety of cutting-edge digital tools designed to enhance the social impact of non-profits.

These sessions provided a great opportunity to demonstrate emerging AI applications for key non-profit operations such as fundraising, program planning, human resource management, partner management, outreach optimization, personalized donor management, and precision-based intervention.

Reliance Infosystems Limited, a Microsoft Tech for Social Impact Partner, made a substantial contribution by demonstrating non-profit industry innovation on Microsoft business applications.

Its focus included fundraising and engagement, volunteer management, and program impact dashboards.

Microsoft and DSN share a vision of digital inclusivity and skills development for non-profits. This mission is supported by Microsoft’s Philanthropies team, which also partners with the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide digital skills across the country through the Digital Skills Nigeria platform.

For more insights into the program, watch the documentary here.

Dr. Bayo Adekanmbi, founder/CEO of DSN, highlighted the importance of ongoing AI capacity development efforts.

“Our collaboration with Microsoft aims to equip Nigerian non-profits with the skills needed to create inclusive and equitable AI applications. This initiative will enable these organizations to address critical issues in health, finance, agriculture, and education, focusing on the practical application of AI across sectors.”

Ultimately, the collaboration hopes to drive significant social impact in Nigeria by demonstrating the potential for AI to support social good initiatives and offering practical insights on how to leverage the technology for programmatic and capacity development purposes.

Participants were invited to explore the Microsoft non-profit platform, a valuable resource that can be accessed here.

Google, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government, and Data Science Nigeria, introduced the AI for Beginners Learning Video Series.

This series presents Artificial Intelligence concepts in Hausa, making complex technology more accessible and culturally relevant for the region.

In Northern Nigeria, various challenges can impact access to tech education and career opportunities.

These include diverse socio-cultural dynamics, infrastructural limitations, and language barriers.

The AI for Beginners Learning Video Series, through its engaging animations and culturally relevant imagery, is designed to make complex digital concepts more accessible and relatable, fostering inclusivity and participation in the growing tech sector.

The launch event, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall in Kaduna, was a celebration of technology, education, and the immense potential of Northern Nigeria’s women.

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour, delivering a keynote address that underscored the government’s commitment to digital transformation and economic growth.

“AI is not just the future; it’s the present,” Governor Uba Sanideclared. “By equipping our people, especially our women, with AI skills, we’re not only paving the way for a more prosperous and innovative Northern Nigeria, but also laying the foundation for Kaduna to become a thriving tech hub.”

“We believe that technology can be a powerful force for change and are committed to making learning resources available in local languages to empower more people,” said the Director of Google West Africa during the launch event held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Murtala Muhammad Square, Kaduna.

He added,

“This series marks a new milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance AI knowledge across Northern Nigeria, fostering a broader understanding and application of AI technologies that drive innovation and create new job opportunities.”

“By making AI education accessible in Hausa, we’re opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact,” added Dr. Bayo Adekanbi, CEO/founder of Data Science Nigeria. “These women are the future leaders and innovators of Northern Nigeria, and AI is the tool that can amplify their potential.”

The event also featured speeches from representatives of NITDA and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who underscored the national significance of the initiative and the government’s support for fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem.

The AI for Beginners Learning Video Series is now available on YouTube via the Data Science Nigeria platform, on the NITDA education portal, and for download.

To further aid in accessibility, the series has also been deployed on USB drives for distribution and direct peer-to-peer copy at all primary and secondary schools, including public video content copying centres across Kaduna State.

The visit afforded DSN leadership an opportunity to update the Minister on its Arewa Ladies4Tech initiative, a female-centric capacity intervention program in Northern Nigeria supported by Google.org and update the Ministry on the organization’s recent global recognition in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Global Grand Challenge of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. DSN also discussed areas of strategic alignment with the Ministry’s policy and knowledge pillars.

The Honourable Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, spoke enthusiastically about the Ministry’s commitment to supporting and enabling local start-ups, especially in the AI/data annotation sector.

This AI sub-sector provides an excellent opportunity for massive job creation for entry-level data analysts while providing on-the-job skill enrichment for advanced capacity development.

DSN’s leadership used the opportunity to update the Honourable Minister on its recent dual global award and recognition in the use of AI-powered large language models using localized audio and text-to-video datasets in financial inclusion and education, respectively, which won two award slots at the foremost global AI Grand Challenge, hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

This placed the two organizations among the global best 50 out of the over 1,300 submissions made across the world.

In addition, the Honourable Minister commended the Arewa Ladies4Tech program, a women-focused capacity intervention in Northern Nigeria.

He reiterated how the intervention is consistent with the Ministry’s mandate to train 3 million technical talents by 2027, through the 3MTT program, which aims to generate a pipeline of technical talent across Nigeria and thus position the country as a net exporter of talent.

Data Science Nigeria also updated the Minister on the “catch them young” element of the Arewa Ladies4Tech, which is a collection of short, animated, and engaging learning contents that demystify Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies for beginners.

DSN’s leadership commended the Minister on the latest release of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) masterplan around the development of the “Nigerian Stack” to drive digital public services and accelerate homegrown innovations. DSN’s leadership updated the Minister on the ongoing policy discussion around Telecommunications Mobile Big Data and how the application of anonymized and de-identified human mobility data can be leveraged for public good and incremental innovations.

DSN discussed the effort of global development agencies like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to leverage these strategic data assets for disease surveillance, epidemiological modelling, polio vaccination delivery, and community profiling with proven examples of its transforming possibilities as evidenced by the significant result seen during various COVID-19 intervention projects.

In his words, Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi, the founder of Data Science Nigeria, said, “We appreciate the opportunity to meet, learn, engage, and become abreast of the programs, initiatives, and the strategic roadmap of the Ministry. We are impressed at the momentum of the Minister, especially in the knowledge and policy pillars, and how these are well positioned to support the Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, for the good of all. We salute the commitment of the Honourable Minister and the evident momentum that the Ministry is driving”.

The Microsoft RAI platform offers cutting-edge tools for debugging AI systems.

With a strong focus on fairness, inclusivity, safety, reliability, and transparency, the RAI Dashboard is a one-stop-shop for implementing responsible AI in practice, making it available to the data science community as an open-source solution as part of the Azure Machine Learning ecosystem.

Data Science Nigeria, Microsoft and the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, trained the participants in two batches at the Microsoft Head Office in Lagos.

In a chat with journalists at the training venue, Mr. Aanu Oyeniran, the Lead, Delivery and Performance at DSN, said the RAI training was in line with the Digital Skills Nigeria project, designed to train Nigerians on digital skills. 

“The project is aimed at providing digital skills to Nigerian youths to make them digital savvy and ready to take up digital skilled jobs. Today’s training is about helping developers to effectively use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in developing specific solutions,”

Oyeniran said.

Mr. Olalekan Akinsande, a data scientist with Mastercard Foundation, also emphasised the need for Responsible AI.

According to Akinsande,

“Today the world is talking about the concept of Responsible AI. It is about making sure that the data we use is not biased and must perform in a most responsible way that will not mislead people. AI is causing a lot of disruption, both positive and negative, but the positive side of AI outweighs the negative side. AI will not take away jobs, but would rather create digital jobs that are in line with emerging technologies.”

Data Science Nigeria is Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology enterprise committed to building Africa’s AI talents ecosystem, and developing solutions for governance, education, health, retail, and finance.

Its mandate is to raise 1 million AI talents in Nigeria and develop artificial intelligence solutions for 2 billion people in emerging markets.

AI automates repetitive learning and discovery through data. Instead of automating manual tasks, AI performs frequent, high-volume, computerized tasks.

With the Nigerian and global business climates expected to experience significant micro and macroeconomic dynamics such as inflationary cost pressures, exchange rate volatility, and disrupting talent attrition, it has become imperative to deploy AI.

Leadway is a Nigerian insurance corporation headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. It is one of Nigeria’s largest insurance companies. Leadway provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, travel insurance, and life insurance

“As the business envirAI automates repetitive learning and discovery through data. Instead of automating manual tasks, AI performs frequent, high-volume, computerized tasks, the speed of change driven by technology will never be slower,” stated Hassan Odukale in his New Year strategic welcome message to all stakeholders.

This has far-reaching repercussions for business. As a result, we will be launching more data-driven and research-focused initiatives, as well as implementing data and artificial intelligence methods for enhanced procedures and faster decision-making in order to create immersive and extraordinary customer experiences.

“Indeed, part of our emphasis this year is to significantly enhance our operational excellence with improvements in our technology use. In this new year and future years, we are committed to strengthening our risk management strategies and technical expertise to ensure such risks are properly identified, assessed, and proactively mitigated,”

Given the government’s massive investment in public infrastructure and the economy’s impending changes, Hassan-Odukale expressed confidence that the future holds enormous prospects for all Leadway firms.

“Leadway as an organization will continue to tap into these emerging opportunities and pursue its strategic goal of being ‘the most dominant insurance company in Nigeria’, in revenue and profit market share, within the corporate and retail market segments,” he added.

He emphasized that the corporation cannot attain these lofty goals unless it makes a clear commitment to constantly providing a world-class customer experience. As a result, he charged his staff with becoming more customer-centric and positively impacting Leadway’s customers’ experiences at every touch point in its customer service value chain.