By Prince Osuagwu

The second edition of the annual artificial intelligence (AI) conference, InnovateAI Lagos is about to kick off.

Discussions will be centred around how to herness the power of AI to champion economic development.

Themed “Scaling AI Adoption in Nigeria: Catalysing Cross-Sectoral Innovation and Fostering Inclusive Growth”, the conference which is slated for February 21, 2025 at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, will be building on the collective of visionary leaders and tech enthusiasts dedicated to propelling Nigeria to the forefront of the global AI revolution.

According to the Co-convener, Dotun Adeoye, “the conference will step up from the 2024 edition by examining how AI can drive inclusive growth, solve economic challenges, and catalyse innovation across Nigeria.”

He said: “the inaugural InnovateAI conference in 2024 was a defining moment, bringing together over 4,000 attendees from across Nigeria and beyond. It ignited collaborations, inspired innovation, and influenced policies, businesses, and community initiatives that have driven measurable progress.”

“As momentum builds up towards InnovateAI Lagos 2025, this year’s event is set to be even more impactful as attention will focus on promoting AI solutions to addressing pressing challenges including unemployment, infrastructure gaps, and financial inclusion to foster sustainable growth across key sectors of the Nigerian economy”.

Adeoye added that InnovateAI Lagos 2025 is to attract over 6,000 attendees with a dynamic mix of live participation and simultaneous livestreaming to 12 AI-in-Nigeria Community Hubs that have been inaugurated over the course of the last year across all six geopolitical zones in the country.

Also, co-convener of the event, Ehia Erhaboh, added that: “This is not just a conference; it is a movement. We are building on last year’s successes to deliver actionable outcomes that shape Nigeria’s future.”

Erhaboh said that the second edition of the flagship AI conference promises to delve into transformative AI innovations and their potential to solve Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

“The conference’s theme, seeks to position Nigeria as a global hub for AI by unlocking its vast potential in diverse sectors.

 “The country’s unique combination of human capital, natural resources, and budding infrastructure presents an opportunity to lead in AI development and adoption.”

Key Spotlights

As part of this year’s programme, InnovateAI Lagos 2025 will host a focused session on “AI and the Future of Work”, featuring a high-powered panel of leading HR directors from diverse industries. This session will explore how AI is reshaping the skill sets and competencies required in the workplace, influencing recruitment trends, and redefining roles across sectors.

Participating companies will host booths at the conference to further support this vision for capacity development, providing a unique opportunity for skilled professionals to engage directly with employers seeking AI talent. This initiative bridges the gap between AI skill development and real-world applications, demonstrating Nigeria’s readiness to harness its human resources for global competitiveness.

Dynamic discussions

The conference is expected to help participants gain actionable insights from industry leaders, tech innovators, and policymakers on how AI is transforming sectors and driving inclusive economic growth.

The conference will unveil cutting-edge AI skills to address Nigeria’s unique challenges, explore how AI shapes workplace demands and creates opportunities for Nigeria to become an AI talent powerhouse.

It will forge meaningful connections with innovators, investors, and decision-makers shaping Nigeria’s AI landscape.

Discover AI-powered solutions designed to tackle real-world problems in Nigeria, from agriculture and healthcare to education and finance.

Speakers

The 2025 conference will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, each offering unique insights into Nigeria’s AI ecosystem.

This year’s discussions will focus on building the infrastructure needed for sustainable AI growth. Speakers will include leaders from companies making significant investments in data centres, as well as executives from a global social media platform, sharing strategies for scaling AI to drive digital transformation and community engagement.

Additionally, a representative from a Nigerian new-generation bank will explore how AI is revolutionising financial services and fostering financial inclusion. An agricultural technology innovator will showcase AI solutions to enhance food security, while a globally renowned AI researcher will provide in-depth insights into ethical AI and localised applications tailored to Nigeria’s unique challenges.

The conference will also feature HR experts who will discuss the impact of AI on the future of work, focusing on reskilling the workforce and building AI-driven talent pipelines to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. Policy experts will explore frameworks for ethical governance, while thought leaders will address how Nigeria can develop a competitive AI talent pool.

By bringing together experts on infrastructure, innovation, workforce development, and governance, the conference will position Nigeria as a leader in building a thriving AI ecosystem.