As the AI Forum of Nigeria, the 2025 edition got concluded in Lagos, which actually features the coming together of senior business leaders, technology executives and government officials to discuss how artificial intelligence can drive enterprise transformation in Nigeria.
Organised by OLAK Events Management, the forum was themed “Goodbye Digital Transformation, Hello AI First Business”, signalling a shift from conventional digitization towards AI-first strategies.
Delegates examined how Nigerian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, can leverage AI to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and competitiveness. The involvement of prominent corporations and innovators indicated a rising national interest in artificial intelligence as a driver of economic development.
The Chief Executive Officer of Cognit DX, Alaa Dalghan, presented the keynote address, encouraging organizations to progress beyond mere experimentation and to establish scalable AI frameworks throughout their operations. The Chief Executive Officer of T2Mobile, Obafemi Banigbe, emphasized the importance of disciplined leadership, effective execution, and process redesign as crucial components of an AI-first strategy.
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Infrastructure and data emerged as recurring topics. The Chief Executive Officer of Rack Centre, Lars Johannisson, underscored the significance of robust data centers and cloud capabilities for facilitating AI at scale, while the Chief Executive Officer of CitiData Centre, Andie Moyan, highlighted the necessity for data integrity, accessibility, and real-time processing as foundational elements for AI implementation.
Speakers also discussed how AI adoption can be made accessible to businesses of all sizes. The Country Manager for Zoho Corporation Nigeria, Kehinde Ogundare, pointed out strategies for implementing AI in a cost-effective and manageable manner, reinforcing the idea that AI-first transformation is not exclusive to large enterprises.
The forum received support from major technology and infrastructure partners, including Microsoft, Open Access Data Centres, ManageEngine, Zoho, and Rack Centre, reflecting confidence in Nigeria’s AI ecosystem and the forum’s role in promoting collaboration and adoption.
Participants concluded that AI presents a transformative opportunity for Nigerian businesses in the coming decade. The forum concluded with a pledge to enhance data infrastructure, governance, talent development, and responsible AI adoption, laying the groundwork for an AI-driven growth agenda across various industries.
