More than 2,000 students, researchers, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, academics and technology enthusiasts attended the 2026 American Center for Artificial Intelligence (ACAI) Summit at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Thursday.
The summit, organised by the American Center for Artificial Intelligence (ACAI), a Dallas and Abuja-based non-profit organisation, focused on the role of artificial intelligence in national development, research and economic transformation.
The event brought together stakeholders from government, academia, technology and business to discuss ways of strengthening Nigeria and Africa’s capacity in artificial intelligence through investment in talent, research, infrastructure and innovation.
Representing the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, was Mr Lawrence Dirisu, Director, South-West Zone of the agency.
Dirisu said artificial intelligence was already transforming the way governments, businesses, universities and individuals operated.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer a conversation about the distant future. It is already changing how governments, businesses, universities and individuals work,” he said.
He said Nigeria had the talent and population required to become a significant player in the global digital economy, but stressed the need for continued investment in skills, infrastructure, innovation and responsible adoption of emerging technologies.
According to him, platforms such as the ACAI Summit provide opportunities for stakeholders to exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration within Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.
Also speaking, Mr Olusola Amusan, Director, ACAI, said the large turnout demonstrated the growing interest in artificial intelligence, particularly among young Nigerians.
“Seeing more than 2,000 people come together in Ile-Ife to discuss artificial intelligence is a powerful signal,” Amusan said.
He said the challenge was to convert the growing interest in AI into practical skills, research, businesses, employment opportunities and solutions to societal challenges.
Amusan said Ile-Ife was deliberately chosen as the venue because of its historical association with scholarship, knowledge and intellectual development.
The summit featured speakers and participants from academia, government, technology and business.
They included Prof. Boniface Kayode Alese, Professor of Information and Cyber Security and Dean, School of Computing, Federal University of Technology, Akure; Mr Oluwamuyemi Orimolade, technology and communications executive; Mr Emmanuel Asika, technology executive and former Country Head, Nigeria, HP Inc.; and Mr Bamidele Ogunmakin, Software Architect at Microsoft.
Others were Barr. Abimbola Amusan, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Vesti Technologies Inc.; Mr Olufemi Olumide; Ms Mercy Frank; Ms Freda Anyanwu, Africa Director, Global AI Council; Mr Olubunmi Opadoyin; Mr Austin Emenike; and Dr Olujoke Mubo Oni.
The Vice-Chancellor of OAU was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Innovation and Development, Prof. Akanni Ibukun Akinyemi.
Akinyemi welcomed the participants and stressed the importance of linking the university community with emerging technologies and developments in the global economy.
Discussions at the summit centred on AI research and education, cybersecurity, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, innovation and the future of work.
Participants also examined the implications of increasingly capable AI systems for Nigerian businesses, universities, public institutions and the wider economy.
Amusan said ACAI planned to sustain the relationships and collaborations generated by the summit beyond the one-day event.
“The summit is not meant to be a one-day conversation,” he said.
He said the organisation wanted to encourage research collaborations, expand opportunities for students, support universities in developing AI programmes and help institutions explore practical applications of artificial intelligence.
The 2026 ACAI Summit was held on Aug. 27 at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun.
The American Center for Artificial Intelligence is a Dallas and Abuja-based non-profit organisation focused on artificial intelligence research, education and application.
