This event has left an indelible mark on the landscape of data science education and AI practice within Nigeria and Africa.

Over an intensive six-day period, the transformative bootcamp provided an interactive platform for participants from the data science industry and academia, featuring comprehensive learning sessions to equip them with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in the dynamic field of artificial intelligence. 

Participants at the AI Bootcamp were selected through a highly competitive and transparent qualification process, commencing with a 5-day Free Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Classes, followed by a 50-day pre-bootcamp learning program, conducted in collaboration with Microsoft Nigeria.

During this phase, over 10,000 learners across 70 different locations participated in the Microsoft Skills for Job challenge after which more than 500 participants took part in the Qualification Hackathon and project participation, out of which 104 emerged victorious, securing coveted seats in the DSN 2023 Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp. 

The hybrid nature of the Bootcamp accommodated participants at the DSN AI hub and others who joined virtually, who were fully immersed in crucial emerging AI topics, including Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Prompt Engineering, Geospatial AI, Deep Learning, and Large Language Models (LLMs), Research Writing, Ethical considerations in AI Development, as well as a comprehensive Career Fair.

These topics were meticulously curated and delivered by industry experts and global thought leaders. Renowned keynote speakers, including Prof. Kirk Borne, Dr. David Adelani, Toyin Aguda, Toyosi Odukoya, Emeka Okoye, Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, among others, took different sessions at this year’s edition.

The sessions offered a unique blend of theory and practical experience; ensuring participants were well-equipped to tackle real-world challenges in the dynamic realm of AI.

Furthermore, the bootcamp featured presentations of Cash prizes/grants to outstanding participants, with awards given to the Top 5 Poster Presentations and Top 5 Hackathon Submissions in both the Azure/Python and Power BI Track, and the most impressive members of the DSN AI campus communities over the last 12 months, crowned as Mr. And Miss Algorithm.  

“The DSN Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp stands as a testament to our commitment to nurturing data-driven innovators and building the largest community of AI talents, world-class researchers, and problem-solvers,” stated Olubayo Adekanmbi, Founder and Lead Mentor, Data Science Nigeria.

“We are immensely proud of the participants’ growth and transformation as they conquered challenges, collaborated with peers, and demonstrated the potential to revolutionize industries through AI.” 

The bootcamp’s resounding success underscores DSN’s dedication to advancing data science education and fostering a culture of innovation. As the world of artificial intelligence continues to evolve, initiatives like the DSN Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between theory and practice.

DSN is a transformative capacity-building social enterprise that spearheads indigenous digital skill advancement across Africa. It has played a pivotal role in nurturing digital competencies at a significant scale, having engaged with more than 800,000 learners.

This outreach encompasses diverse   learning modalities, including in-person instruction, online education, hybrid approaches, project-based learning, and active participation in employment opportunities.

This expansive effort spans the entirety of all states in Nigeria and extends its impact to 13 other nations within Africa.

At its core, DSN is fuelled by a visionary objective of raising 1 million Artificial Intelligence talents, equipped to build localized solutions that will improve the quality of life of over 2 billion people in emerging markets.

The Bootcamp will be hosted by Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The event will bring together Artificial Intelligence (AI) enthusiasts, experts, and stakeholders from across Africa after a six-month learning period which will culminate in a one-week intense and all-expenses-paid bootcamp.

Now in its 7th edition, the AI bootcamp, has been held since 2017 and has become the ultimate talent pipeline for leading global organizations and a massive awareness platform for many young Africans. The 2023 pre-selection learning sessions will run across the 36 states in Nigeria  and 13 African countries. The bootcamp and its extended prequalification cycle are designed to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to the development and adoption of AI in Africa.

The 2023 DSN AI bootcamp will comprise three stages. First is  the free introductory Artificial Intelligence/Data Science classes, which will be held in over 150 cities in 36 states of Nigeria and in 13 African countries from March 20th to April 22nd. Next is a 50-day online AI Bootcamp pre-learning study that will run from April 15th to June 3rd.

The final stage will be the DSN AI bootcamp qualification hackathon to build analytical models from June 5th to June 26th, where the top 500 participants will be selected to attend the AI bootcamp event.

The 2023 bootcamp will feature over 30 world-class tutors, six learning streams, 40+ hours of learning, research poster presentations, job showcase, and several award categories, including Miss Algorithm and Mr. Algorithm awards, the Best Female Data Scientist award, the Best Poster Award, and the AI School of the Year award.

The annual award of the DSN AI School of the year is awarded to the school with the highest number of participants who qualified for the bootcamp and is rewarded with Artificial Intelligence books worth 1 million Naira, and these books are publicly donated to the school’s library. These donations aim to build consistency and improve AI knowledge among the communities. Some of the past winners of DSN AI School of the year award include the DSN learning clubs in the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Ibadan.

To ensure that the AI bootcamp is accessible to all participants irrespective of their background, DSN has arranged the bootcamp to be fully free, including accommodation, feeding, learning materials, and travel incentives for all the AI Bootcamp’s top 500 selected participants.

As part of the preparation for the 2023 edition, the management of DSN paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria as the host campus of the 2023 edition.

The DSN team was warmly received by the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Covenant University, Professor Abiodun Humphrey Adebayo and his senior leadership team. The VC affirmed the institution’s commitment for strategic partnership that will reinforce the established leadership of the Covenant University, which is the only Nigerian institution in many global rankings including the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking. Other members of the Covenant University leadership in the meeting include the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olujide Adekeye; Acting Registrar, Mrs. Regina Tobi-David; Director, Financial Services, Pastor Olugbenga Kiki; Dean, College of Science and Technology, Professor Timothy Anake; Director, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Professor Omotayo Osibanjo; Head, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Professor Funke Oladipupo; and Director, Centre for Systems and Information Services, Engr. Boladele Akanle.

The AI Bootcamp  has become a reputable  event in the African AI community, providing a platform for learning, networking, job creation and innovation. Organizations that have recruited from or partnered with the bootcamp include Google, Microsoft, Access bank, KPMG, Axa Mansard, FCMB, GRID 3, Retina AI, Terragon, Bluechip, and Roche.

DSN is committed to building a strong AI ecosystem in Africa, and the AI Bootcamp is one of the initiatives it has undertaken to achieve this goal.

The full details of the 6-month-long learning is available here.

DSN past AI Bootcamps have been supported by leading global organizations like Microsoft, Softcom, KPMG, BigML, Retina-AI, Bluechip Technologies, Axa Mansard, Proshare Foundation, Virtual Chair, Interswitch, Diamond Bank, OneFi, L5Lab, Keoun.ng, ProShare Nigeria, Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, DataCamp, BusinessDay, CFATech.ng, BrandCrunch and the Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa.

DSN is a high-impact capacity building social enterprise that has been in the forefront of homegrown digital skill development in Africa, having provided learning opportunities to over 500,000 learners through its extensive face-to-face, online, hybrid, project-based and job participation interventions across all the states in Nigeria and 13 African countries.

DSN is driven by a vision to raise 1 million Artificial Intelligence talents who are empowered to build local solutions that will improve the quality of life of over 2 billion people in the emerging market. In 2021, DSN made global news when two of its homegrown products were listed in the Global Top 100 list of Artificial Intelligence (AI) products for social impact by the International Research Centre in Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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The information and communication technology (ICT) sector in Nigeria has seen significant growth and development in recent years.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that the sector contributed 18.44 per cent to the nation’s GDP in the second quarter of 2022. Experts argue that the country’s youth-dominated 210 million-strong population is driving demand for ICT products and services.

The government has made significant efforts to promote the development of the ICT sector and increase access to ICT infrastructure and services.

This has included initiatives such as the National Broadband Plan, which aims to increase broadband penetration in the country, and the National eGovernment Master Plan, which aims to increase the use of ICT in government operations and services.

Of course, there are several challenges that the Nigerian ICT sector faces, including a lack of reliable and affordable electricity, multiple taxations, regulatory bottlenecks, limited access to ICT infrastructure in rural areas, and a dearth of skilled ICT professionals.

Despite these challenges, the sector has continued to grow with the potential to play a significant role in the country’s economic development.

Looking ahead into 2023 here are potential trends that may shape the development of ICT in the new year.

1. Increased adoption of cloud computing:

As businesses in Nigeria look to reduce costs and improve efficiency, many will turn to cloud computing solutions to store and process data. There are a growing number of important players in this space including Rack Centre, Cloudflex Computing Services Limited, and Layer3Cloud among others.

2. Growth of the e-commerce industry:

Nigeria’s large and rapidly growing population and the adoption of mobile devices and internet access has made e-commerce more accessible. With improvements in electronic payment and logistics sectors, the growth trend is likely to continue into the coming years. Konga, Jumia and Jiji continue to show what is possible in this space.

3. Expansion of mobile broadband:

The proliferation of mobile broadband is expected to continue in Nigeria, driven by the increasing demand for data services and the roll-out of 4G and 5G networks.

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) in 2021 granted 5G licenses to MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications with Airtel joining the party this December. MTN is known to have rolled out services in certain cities. 2023 holds promises of more roll-outs and improved access to 5G services in general.

4. Rise of fintech:

The fintech industry in Nigeria has seen significant growth in recent years, and this trend is likely to continue as more people turn to digital financial services.

Reports suggest that there are over 200 Fintech firms in Nigeria rapidly helping to bridge the financial inclusion gap.

The fintech ecosystem covers businesses focused on mobile payments, digital banking, merchant solutions and personal finance among others. Interswitch, Flutterwave, Paystack, PiggyVest, Paga, and E-tranzact are some of the biggest players in this space.

5. Increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI):

The use of AI in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and agriculture, is expected to increase in Nigeria as the country looks to leverage technology to solve problems and improve services. The early players here include Lare Ayoola’s IoT Africa Networks Limited, Kobo360 and Data Scientists Network.

6. Growth of the outsourcing industry:

Nigeria’s highly educated workforce and lower labour costs make it an attractive destination for outsourcing. This trend is likely to continue as companies look to outsource certain business functions to save costs, improve productivity and boost profitability. Renda, Philip Outsourcing, and Workforce Group are leading players in this space.

7. Increased adoption of digital skills:

As the ICT sector continues to grow, there will be greater demand for individuals with digital skills. This trend is likely to drive the development of training programs and initiatives to help people acquire the necessary skills. Governments at different levels are making tremendous efforts in this space.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) through its subsidiary, the National Center for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (NCAIR) is training one million developers with a focus on Python for Machine Learning and Data Science.

The Lagos State Government has also commenced the Second Phase of the Eko Digital programme which aims to empower one million youths in the State with cybersecurity skills. Numerous other initiatives are ongoing in the private sector space.

ICT will remain a significant proportion of the economy in the foreseeable future. Human capacity development and infrastructure deployment will however dominate the ICT space in 2023.

Happy New Year in Advance!

With a median age of 17 years and the increasing need for young Africans to participate in the digital economy, there is an urgency to prepare primary and secondary students in sub-Saharan Africa to access the over 230 million jobs which will require digital skills by 2030.

The product, “MacroTutor”, is an AI-powered, on-demand, and affordable edtech solution for schools and parents to access the best quality teachers and digital learning content in expert areas such as Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Programming, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Interaction Design etc.

The platform will democratize access to world-class digital skill acquisition through a network of well-trained tutors who can deliver personalized and curriculum-based learning at students’ homes on a one-on-one basis or to a group of students in a school.

For schools, this will be a significant value-add to enhance the learning outcome of students while eliminating the additional cost of full-time digital/ICT teachers. MacroTutor will provide a cheaper alternative to high-quality teachers and world-class content at the rates that any low to medium-cost schools can afford.

With this inclusive, pervasive and more affordable access to digital skills, no child is left behind across the continent.

MacroTutor’s product innovation is aimed to bridge the capacity gaps between what is being currently taught in Nigerian schools and the future-ready skills that learners will require to participate, contribute, and compete in the global world.

As it has been generally acknowledged, digital literacy and hands-on computing skills will become foundational competencies which every professional must have. Hence, the need to start early through bespoke and context-aware learning interventions built on the peculiar challenges of the emerging market, especially in the areas of localized technological curriculum and distributed on-demand expert network.

Speaking on the initiative, Toyin Adekanmbi, the Executive Director of DSN, described it as “a creative and innovative approach to democratize computer and ICT education in Nigeria, which ensures that any school can offer world-class digital subjects and provide future-focused learning to students without any cashflow strain and an additional salary cost. Old students associations and Parents-Teachers-Associations can even support their schools with dedicated digital education teachers”.

MacroTutor will be the ultimate destination to access the best digital teachers at the most affordable rate for parents and schools who desire to prepare their students for the skills and expertise to drive global competitiveness in the future.

Schools can get a tutor on the platform by visiting here while parents can also download the app, “MacroTutor” from Google Play or Apple iOS store to request a tutor.

Prior to his appointment by Airtel Africa headquartered in London, United Kingdom, Adekanmbi previously worked for MTN in South Africa and Nigeria as Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, General Manager, Business Intelligence and Head of Strategy and Analytics.

He has about 21 years cognate industry experience.

Information on Airtel Africa’s website, indicates that Olubayo Adekanmbi will be “responsible for leading strategic business-wide initiatives, including innovation, strategic investment, operational efficiencies, and partnerships. In addition to this, he is also responsible for delivering Airtel Africa’s Group Sustainability. He is part of our Executive Committee and reports directly to Segun Ogunsanya, CEO.”

Olubayo (Bayo) is known for his innovative contribution to strategic innovation and analytics practice in telecommunication.

His work on the use of machine learning algorithm in customer value and risk management earned him global recognition by the U.S. based Corinium Intelligence as one of the Top 100 global innovators in data and analytics.

This solution also earned him a Yello Star award in 2013 for enabling billions of naira in revenue growth.

Bayo is an innovation leader who has driven impactful strategic projects and innovations. He was the Nigeria lead for the MTN Group-led efficiency transformation programme IGNITE, a future-shaping intervention by MTN to accelerate the company’s business and financial performance.

As a strategist, Adekanmbi led many short and long-term strategic initiatives, like e-SIM, 5G trial, data monetization, spectrum acquisition, agile transformation, national roaming pilot, data center, 5G strategy, etc.

He also works at the nexus of the use of artificial intelligence and data science for the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of his works was the evidence-based, national COVID-19 intervention, conducted with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, using anonymized telecoms mobility data and other multiple points of interest data for social good. In partnership with the GSM Association (GSMA), Cambridge University Press recently published this work.

Olubayo Adekanmbi is the founder of the award-winning non-profit Data Science Nigeria (DSN, now Data Scientists Network), which has evolved into Africa’s number one artificial intelligence learning, research, start-up incubation, social product development network.

Two DSN’s products were recently recognized and listed in the Global Top 100 of artificial intelligence products by the International Research Centre in Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for their outstanding contribution to the U.N.’s SDGs in the areas of health and education in low-resourced countries.

Olubayo Adekanmbi graduated with Distinction from the University of Reading postgraduate school, United Kingdom, and has also completed both full-time and executive education in many other leading institutions, including Columbia Business School, New York; The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Chicago; INSEAD Business School, France; Telecoms Training Institute, London; ETH Zurich, Switzerland; and Gatton College of Business at the University of Kentucky, Kentucky.

Source: brandcom.ng

The Top 100 project aims to scope and showcase effective and impactful solutions from around the world contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The selection process was rigorous as the reviewers were explicitly looking for presentable solutions that directly or indirectly solve one or more sustainable development problems and research innovations implemented in these solutions.

The two products from DSN listed in the IRCAI/UNESCO Global Top 100 list are DSN’s EdTech AI Adaptive Learning Engine, which was recognized as a Promising Project, and DSN’s AI Health Prescription Platform listed as an Early-Stage project.

The DSN EdTech AI Adaptive Learning Engine delivers AI-powered personalised learning through a mix of audio classes and interactive SMS to bridge educational gaps for learners who have no access to the internet or internet-ready devices.

It uses adaptive knowledge management engine built on predictive analytics and a recommendation engine to deliver customized learning.

The solution was supported by the Mastercard Foundation to deliver remedial learning to over eight million learners during the lockdown of schools in 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AI Health Prescription Platform focuses on simplifying the medical prescription process through its AI-powered Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system that mitigates medication errors through automated digitization of handwritten medical prescriptions in low-resourced health systems.

The platform converts images of any hand-written drug prescription into readable formats to help the last mile drug dispensing process. This solution is expected to improve health delivery outcomes in low-income countries.

DSN’s research works and products have been showcased, recognized, and celebrated at many global events.

In 2020, DSN won the best academic poster award at the 21st ACM Conference on Economics &  Computer (EC’ 20)- the world’s premier conference on Economics and Computer Science interface.

It also emerged as the only African finalist in the XPRIZE $500k Pandemic Response Challenge.

DSN’s has recently relaunched itself with an expanded program delivery, multi-country operation and product innovation roadmap, to further reinforce its mandate to raise one million Artificial Intelligence (AI) talents and lead the development of AI solutions that will enhance the quality of life and well-being of over two billion people in emerging markets.

The company recently kicked off an AI-focused startup AI lab- The DSN AI Start-up Lab aimed at growing the Nigerian innovation ecosystem, especially those focused on the use of Artificial Intelligence.

DSN has built the most inclusive Artificial Intelligence learning network across universities and cities in Nigeria with about 50 learning centres.