More than 2,000 students, researchers, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, academics and technology enthusiasts gathered at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Thursday for the 2026 ACAI Summit, organised by the American Center for Artificial Intelligence (ACAI), a Dallas and Abuja-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence research, education and application.
The summit, themed around Artificial Intelligence for National Development, Research Excellence and Economic Transformation, brought together leaders from government, academia, technology and industry for discussions on how Nigeria and Africa can build the talent, research capacity and institutions required to participate meaningfully in the global AI economy.
Representing the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, was Mr. Lawrence Dirisu, Director, South West Zone, NITDA. In his remarks, Dirisu highlighted the importance of developing digital and AI capabilities as Nigeria continues its transition toward a technology-driven economy.
“Artificial intelligence is no longer a conversation about the distant future. It is already changing how governments, businesses, universities and individuals work,” said Dirisu, representing the NITDA Director-General. “Nigeria has the talent and the population to become a significant player in the global digital economy, but we must continue to invest in skills, infrastructure, innovation and responsible adoption. Events such as the ACAI Summit help bring these conversations closer to the people and create opportunities for collaboration.”
The presence of NITDA at the summit reinforced the growing importance of collaboration between government, universities, technology companies and independent organisations in developing Nigeria’s AI ecosystem. NITDA continues to play a central role in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda under the leadership of Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. (NITDA )
Olusola Amusan, Director of the American Center for Artificial Intelligence, said the turnout demonstrated the growing interest in artificial intelligence among Nigerians, particularly young people.
“Seeing more than 2,000 people come together in Ile-Ife to discuss artificial intelligence is a powerful signal,” Amusan said. “There is a huge appetite for knowledge, opportunity and participation in the AI economy. Our responsibility is to make sure that this interest is converted into skills, research, businesses, jobs and solutions that can have real impact.”
Amusan added that the decision to hold the summit in Ile-Ife was intentional, given the city’s long history as a centre of scholarship and intellectual development.
“We wanted to bring this conversation to a place with a deep intellectual history. Ile-Ife has always represented knowledge, scholarship and culture. AI represents another major chapter in the evolution of knowledge, and we believe Africa should be part of writing that chapter.”
The summit attracted a distinguished group of speakers and guests from across academia, government, technology and business. Among those in attendance and featured at the event were Prof. Boniface Kayode Alese, Professor of Information and Cyber Security and Dean of the School of Computing at the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Oluwamuyemi Orimolade, technology and communications executive; Emmanuel Asika, technology executive and former Country Head, Nigeria, HP Inc.; Bamidele Ogunmakin, Software Architect at Microsoft; Barr. Abimbola Amusan, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Vesti Technologies Inc.; Olufemi Olumide; Mercy Frank; Freda Anyanwu, Africa Director, Global AI Council; Olubunmi Opadoyin; Austin Emenike; and Dr. Olujoke Mubo Oni.
The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University was represented at the summit by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Innovation and Development Professor Akanni Ibukun Akinyemi, who welcomed the gathering and underscored the importance of connecting the university community with emerging technologies and the rapidly changing global economy.
The summit featured conversations around artificial intelligence research, education, cybersecurity, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, innovation and the future of work. Participants also explored the implications of increasingly capable AI systems for Nigerian businesses, universities, public institutions and the broader economy.
The event is part of the American Center for Artificial Intelligence’s broader work in research, education and community development. ACAI’s programmes include AI research initiatives, educational programmes and efforts to build a global community of researchers, students and professionals working to advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence. (americancenterforai.com )
For Amusan, the gathering represents the beginning of a larger effort rather than an endpoint.
“The summit is not meant to be a one-day conversation,” he said. “We want to build relationships that continue after the event. We want researchers collaborating, students gaining access to opportunities, companies finding talent, universities developing stronger AI programmes and institutions thinking more seriously about how AI can improve what they already do.”
The 2026 ACAI Summit was held on August 27, 2026, at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The American Center for Artificial Intelligence is a Dallas and Abuja-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing AI research, education and application for the benefit of the global community.
