The School of Computing, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has announced Dr. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, an outstanding Artificial Intelligence Governance Expert, Education Reform Advocate and Technology Entrepreneur, as the Guest Lecturer for its prestigious 2026 Annual Lecture.
The lecture, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 15th July 2026 at the Obafemi Awolowo Auditorium, FUTA, will convene leading academics, researchers, policymakers, students, technology innovators and industry leaders to examine one of the defining questions of our time: How should African universities prepare graduates not merely to use Artificial Intelligence, but to create it?
Dr. Akerele-Ogunsiji’s lecture, titled: “From Artificial Intelligence Consumers to Creators: Preparing African Universities for the Global Intelligence Economy through Computing Education, Research and Industry Collaboration,” will challenge higher education institutions across Africa to rethink their role in an era where Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping economies, industries, governance, scientific discovery and the future of work.
While much of the global conversation has focused on tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Generative AI, her lecture will argue that the more fundamental question is whether African universities will remain consumers of technologies developed elsewhere or become creators of indigenous AI solutions capable of addressing Africa’s unique developmental priorities.
According to Dr. Akerele-Ogunsiji in a statement available to Techeconomy:
“The future competitiveness of nations will increasingly depend on their capacity to produce intelligence, not merely consume it. Universities therefore have a historic responsibility to educate a new generation of innovators capable of building Artificial Intelligence that reflects Africa’s realities, values and aspirations.”
The lecture is expected to introduce a practical framework for repositioning African universities through curriculum transformation, responsible AI governance, interdisciplinary research, stronger industry partnerships and innovation ecosystems capable of producing globally competitive AI talent.
Dr. Akerele-Ogunsiji is the Founder of Rise Networks and Rise Interactive Studios Africa, organisations committed to advancing technology -driven development, digital inclusion, Artificial Intelligence governance and creative innovation across Africa.
She recently completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Defence and Strategic Studies with research focusing on the implications of Artificial Intelligence for Nigeria’s national and economic security in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Dr. Akerele-Ogunsiji brings to the Annual Lecture a rare blend of scholarship, policy engagement, technological innovation and creative leadership that has positioned her among Africa’s leading voices on the responsible development and governance of Artificial Intelligence.
Through her work over the past two decades, she has consistently championed the use of emerging technologies to expand educational opportunities, strengthen democratic institutions, empower young people and accelerate inclusive economic growth across the continent.
As Founder and Chief Executive of Rise Networks, one of Nigeria’s pioneering organisations driving Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D), digital innovation and future-ready workforce development, she has led the design and implementation of numerous initiatives that have equipped thousands of young Africans with skills in data science, Artificial Intelligence, digital technologies and innovation.
In recognition of its pioneering work, Rise Networks received the Social Impact Award at the 2025 Nigeria Innovation Awards, affirming its leadership in leveraging technology for sustainable development and social impact.
Internationally recognised for her thought leadership in AI governance and public policy, Dr. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji has contributed to several high-level global conversations on Artificial Intelligence, including participation in the landmark AI Safety Summit hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom at Bletchley Park, the first global summit dedicated to the safe, secure and responsible development of frontier Artificial Intelligence.
She has also spoken at major international platforms, including the AI Impact Summit in India, where she has advocated for more inclusive global AI governance and stronger African participation in shaping the future of intelligent technologies.
Beyond technology policy, Dr. Akerele-Ogunsiji is also redefining the convergence of Artificial Intelligence, education and the creative economy through Makemation, Africa’s first feature film on AI. Widely acclaimed as an innovative blend of storytelling, technology and social impact, Makemation has been screened at leading global academic institutions, including Harvard University and King’s College London, where it has stimulated interdisciplinary conversations on AI, ethics, innovation and the future of education.
The film is increasingly being adopted by universities as a teaching and thought leadership resource, with growing interest from scholars and students exploring its themes through research, film criticism and semiotic analysis.
Further underscoring its impact, Makemation received the Best Use of AI Innovation in Film and Content Award at the 2026 Marketing Hackathon (MarkHack), recognising its pioneering contribution to the application of Artificial Intelligence in African cinema and creative storytelling.
The film has since become an important case study demonstrating how technology can inspire new approaches to education, creativity and innovation while advancing meaningful conversations about Africa’s place in the global AI ecosystem.
Drawing from her experience as a researcher, entrepreneur, filmmaker, policy advisor and institution builder, Dr. Akerele-Ogunsiji’s lecture is expected to offer a compelling vision for how African universities can move beyond preparing students to consume
Artificial Intelligence and instead become globally recognised centres for AI research, innovation, responsible governance and technology -driven development.
At a time when the global race for Artificial Intelligence leadership is accelerating, the 2026 FUTA School of Computing Annual Lecture promises to move the conversation beyond technology adoption to the more fundamental question of how African universities can become creators of knowledge empowering students and successor generations to build local compute infrastructure capability for the Country and the continent in the Global Intelligence Economy.
The 2026 FUTA School of Computing Annual Lecture promises to stimulate national conversation on the future of higher education and Artificial Intelligence while inspiring universities across Africa to embrace a new vision of excellence driven by innovation, collaboration and responsible technological leadership.
