THE AI FORUM

NIGERIA

Goodbye Digital Transformation,
Hello AI-First Business

Lagos Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island.

ORGANIZED BY

About the Summit

The AI Forum Nigeria is an exclusive platform where Nigeria’s leading business, technology, and government leaders converge to explore how artificial intelligence is no longer just a component of digital strategy but the foundation of enterprise growth, innovation, and national development.

Under the theme Goodbye Digital Transformation, Hello AI-First Business, this year’s forum marks a bold shift in Nigeria’s technology agenda. It reflects the growing realization that AI is now central to driving smarter decision-making, unlocking productivity, and creating entirely new value chains across industries.

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in the core of business operations and governance frameworks, AI Forum Nigeria spotlights how both the private and public sectors are leveraging intelligent technologies to build efficiency, resilience, and global competitiveness.

This high-level gathering features thought-provoking keynotes, real-world case studies, sector-specific panels, and innovation showcases led by Nigerian and international AI experts. From AI and Business Transformation Talks to AI and Cybersecurity, AI Infrastructures and Data Centers to how Generative AI is transforming Customer Experience and Services, the AI Forum Nigeria is your platform to network and connect with all the key players and pioneer driving AI implementation that’s shaping our AI Future.

MARKET OVERVIEW OF THE AI ECONOMY AND OPPORTUNITIES IN NIGERIA

AI is expected to add $2.9 trillion to Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, and Nigeria's AI market is projected to reach $434.4 million

AI is Enhancing Operational Efficiency in Nigerian Banks leading to more investment in AI to automate routine tasks and optimize resources and improve customer satisfaction through personalized services and real-time support, particularly among tech-savvy users.

At-scale deployment of generative AI with telcos in Africa can unlock $6.0 billion to $9.6 billion in economic value

More than 80% of retail executives expect their companies will adopt AI automation by 2025. Some 75% of executives anticipate using AI to design, collect, or summarize data

Generative AI could deliver up to $103 billion in annual economic value for Africa, with sectors like retail, telecom, and banking showing strong potential, according to McKinsey & Company

Access to Quality Data in Africa is a Challenge in scaling AI adoption, with only 28% of organizations in Africa having access to quality data, highlighting a significant gap that needs to be bridged, creating an immense opportunity for solution providers

Day Event
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High Level Advisory Board
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High Level Panel Session
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Keynotes and Presentations
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Attendees
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Sponsors & Exhibitors
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Industry Partners
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Media Partners
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KEY THEMES

AI-First Business: The Next Frontier of Enterprise Strategy

AI in Banking & Finance: Automating Trust, Risk, and Value Creation

Reimagining Customer Experience with Power of GenAI

AI & Cybersecurity: Protecting Digital Nigeria

AI and Business Transformation: From Legacy to Intelligent Operations

Data is the Fuel: Building Scalable AI Infrastructure in Nigeria

AI Governance, Ethics, and Regulatory Compliance

The Role of AI in Financial Inclusion & SME Growth

The AI Talent Gap: Building Nigeria’s Future Workforce

ALAA DALGHAN

CEO Cognit DX AI Expert, Thought Leader
International Keynote Speaker

AKEEM ADESINA

Technical Director MEA, The Foresight Group
(Forum Advisor)

SHOLA AJAYI

Principal Partner,
STRATAGEM
(Forum Advisor)

ALAA DALGHAN

CEO Cognit DX AI Expert, Thought Leader & International Keynote Speaker

RACHEL ADESHINA

Chief Information Officer
First Bank Nigeria

DEEN YUSUF

GM
Microsoft Nigeria & Ghana

OMOSHOLA YUSUF

Chief Information Officer AXA MANSARD INSURANCE PLC

ODALO AIMUFIA

Group Chief Information Officer Leadway Holdings

SHOYINKA SHODUNKE

Chief Information Officer,
MTN Nigeria

PHIL ANEKE

Digital & Technology Director,
Nigerian Breweries Plc

DR. HARRISON NNAJI

Chief Information Security Officer,
First Bank of Nigeria

FAVOUR FEMI-OYEWOLE

Group Chief Information Security Officer,
Access Bank PLC

UTI ELLU

Group Head, Customer Experience Strategy
Sterling Bank Nigeria

JIDE BENSON

CEO CAST,
FORUM HOST

BAYO ADEDEJI

Group Chief Executive Officer, 
WAKANOW.COM

JUMOKE ADEDEJI

Head of Customer Service, 
Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc

GODSWILL UMORU

Head of Head, Digital Technology Department 
AI Advocate, Montego

CHIKAODILI A. ADUN

Chief Customer Expereince Officer
First Bank Nigeria

THE AI FORUM AGENDA

Time Activity
08:30
Registration, Refreshments, and Networking
08:50
Welcome Note by Conference Chairman
08:55
Opening Video

DEVELOPING AN AI FIRST BUSINESS IN THE NEW DIGITAL ERA

09:00
Opening Keynote Presentation on AI in the Public Sector
09:10
International Keynote Presentation
09:20

CEO & Business Leaders Panel Session: AI-First Business: The Next Frontier of Enterprise  Strategy

Strategic Foundation   What does it truly mean to be an “AI-first” business, and how should leaders reimagine their strategy to embed AI  at the core of operations and decision-making?

Leadership & Culture Shift:  What cultural and leadership changes are required to success-fully transition from traditional or digitally trans-formed models to AI-first organi-zations?

AI Integration Across Functions: How can businesses identify the right functions or processes such as finance, HR, operations, or marketing to prioritize for AI integration?

Workforce Transformation  How can companies manage workforce transformation reskilling, upskilling, and redeployment as they adopt  AI techno logies?

Measuring Success in AI-First Businesses  What KPIs or business outcomes should leaders focus on to measure the impact and ROI of becoming an AI-first enterprise?

Exploring how Nigerian companies are moving beyond digital transformation to adopt AI as a core business driver

TRANSFORMING BFSI IN THE AGE OF AI

10:15

Technology innovation session 2

This session will showcase the latest transformative technologies in the AI space, featuring a leading industry expert who will share practical insights and real-world case studies on the successful implementation of AI innovations across various sectors.

10:30

AI in BFSI Panel Session: Discussing How Banks, Insurance and Fintechs in Nigeria Are Leveraging AI For to Transform Business Operations and Drive Innovation

  • How can we leverage AI to transition from smart to intelligent banking?
  • AI in Core Operations: How are financial institutions in Nigeria using AI to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency?
  • How can AI help expand access to financial services for underserved populations, including informal businesses and rural communities?
  • What are the major challenges—such as data quality, infrastructure, and skills gaps—hindering AI adoption in financial services, and how can they be addressed?
  • How are banks, fintechs, and insurers using AI to personalize services, improve customer engagement, and meet evolving consumer expectations?

Panellists:

  • Rachel Adeshina, Chief Information Officer, First Bank Nigeria
  • Omoshola Yusuf, Chief Information Officer AXA MANSARD INSURANCE PLC
  • Odalo Aimufia, Chief Information Officer Leadway Assurance LTD
11:10

Technology innovation session 3

This session will showcase the latest transformative technologies in the AI space, featuring a leading industry expert who will share practical insights and real-world case studies on the successful implementation of AI innovations across various sectors.

11:25

EXHIBITION TOUR AND NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK

SECURING BUSINESS EXCELLENCE WITH THE POWER OF AI

12:00

Presentation: AI and Business Transformation: From Legacy to Intelligent Operations

Transforming traditional business models with AI-powered automation, predictive intelligence, and adaptive systems

12:10

Technology innovation session 4

This session will showcase the latest transformative technologies in the AI space, featuring a leading industry expert who will share practical insights and real-world case studies on the successful implementation of AI innovations across various sectors.

12:25

Executive Panel Session on AI & Cybersecurity: Protecting Digital Nigeria

  • Leveraging AI to predict, detect, and neutralize cyber threats in an increasingly digital and connected economy
  • How is AI enhancing threat detection and incident response in Nigeria’s increasingly digitized economy?
  • What role can AI play in strengthening Nigeria’s national cybersecurity infrastructure, particularly in protecting critical sectors like finance, energy, and telecoms?
  • How can AI-powered security tools be made accessible and affordable to Nigeria’s SMEs and startups, which are often the most vulnerable to cyberattacks?
  • As we deploy AI in cybersecurity, what are the potential risks of AI being exploited by bad actors, and how can we stay ahead of AI-driven cyber threats?

Panellists:

  • Favour Femi-Oyewole, Group Chief Information Security Officer, Access Bank PLC
  • Harrison Nnaji, Chief Information Security Officer, First Bank of Nigeria
  • Shoyinka Shodunke, Chief Information Officer, MTN Nigeria
  • Phil Aneke, Digital & Technology Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc

DRIVING CX AND BUSINESS GROWTH IN KEY SECTORS IN THE AGE OF AI

13:05

Presentation: Data is the Fuel: Building Scalable AI Infrastructure in Nigeria

  • Understanding the role of data lakes, cloud platforms, and local infrastructure in accelerating enterprise AI readiness in Nigeria
13:20

Panel Discussion: Transforming CX & Customer Service with the Power of AI

  • How is AI enabling organizations to deliver hyper-personalized customer experiences, and what impact does this have on customer satisfaction and retention?
  • Exploring most effective ways companies in Nigeria are using AI—such as chatbots, virtual assistants, and predictive analytics—to enhance customer service delivery?
  • AI in CX Journey: What are the biggest obstacles businesses face when integrating AI into customer experience strategies, and how can they be overcome?
  • Measuring Success: What key metrics should organizations track to evaluate the ROI and effectiveness of AI-powered customer experience initiatives?

 

Moderator:

Godswill Umoru, Head of Head, Digital Technology Department, AI Advocate, Montego

PANELLISTS

  • Uti Ellu, Group Head, Customer Experience Strategy, Sterling Bank Nigeria
  • Chikaodili A. Adun, Chief Customer Experience Officer, First Bank Nigeria
  • Jumoke Adedeji, Head of Customer Service, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc
14:00

Technology innovation session 5

This session will showcase the latest transformative technologies in the AI space, featuring a leading industry expert who will share practical insights and real-world case studies on the successful implementation of AI innovations across various sectors.

14: 10

Closing Panel Discussion: The Role of AI in Transforming Retail, Ecommerce & SME Growth in Nigeria

  • Discussing how retailers and e-commerce platforms are using AI to deliver personalized CX and impact on customer loyalty and sales
  • What are the biggest barriers facing retail and SME businesses in Nigeria when it comes to adopting AI, and how can these be overcome?
  • How can AI enable small businesses and startups sector in Nigeria to compete and grow in the digital economy?
  • How do you see AI reshaping the future of commerce in Nigeria over the next 3–5 years, and what should SMEs be doing now to prepare?

 

Panelists:

  • Shola Ajayi, Principal Partner, STRATAGEM AFRICA
  • Bayo Adedeji, Group Chief Executive Officer, WAKANOW.COM
14:50

Closing Remarks and End of The AI Forum Nigeria

FOCUSED INDUSTRIES & SECTORS

Banking and Finance

Insurance

Telecommunication

Ecommerce & Retail

Manufacturing

Oil and Gas

Energy and Utilities

Healthcare

WHO WILL ATTEND

Participants will be below job titles from across different 
industries and sectors in Nigeria

OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH US

Solution providers offering various services:

Artificial Intelligence Solution Providers

Machine Learning

Application and Platform Development

System Development

System and Data Integration

Big Data and Advanced Analytics

Data Monetization

Cyber Security

Data Privacy

Customer Experience Solution

E-payments

Enterprise Architecture and ERP

Cloud Computing & Data Centers

AI and Machine Learning

RPA & Paperless

OT and IT Convergence

Blockchain

Chatbots and CX Digitalization

Technology Partner
Strategic Partners
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Industry Partner
Strategic Partner
Industry Partner
Technology Partner
Industry Partner

MEDIA PARTNERS

FLOOR PLAN

WHY GET INVOLVED

Boost Your Brand Visibility

Position your organization at the forefront of AI integration by showcasing your expertise and solutions to a highly targeted audience, reinforcing your reputation as a leader in the AI ecosystem.

Connect Directly with Key Decision-Makers

Gain exclusive access to influential stakeholders and organizations driving AI initiatives across Nigeria and understand their strategic priorities and identify potential collaboration and project opportunities.

Enhance Your Competitive Edge

Deepen your understanding of the real-world challenges faced by top public and private sector players in order to help you tailor your offerings and demonstrate how your solutions can address their specific needs.

Unlock High-Value Business Opportunities

Discover procurement plans, upcoming project needs, and innovation priorities of major government bodies and large institutions and stand a chance of being shortlisted for upcoming projects.

REGIONAL EDITIONS

Independent Arch Accra, Ghana

Mombasa Tusks,  Kenya

National Theatre, Nigeria

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