A high-powered panel discussion on the boundless potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Africa’s growth held at the Senate Chamber of the Senate House, University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Friday, April 11, 2025.
With the theme, “Artificial Intelligence: Shaping the Future of Development“, the panel featured the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS; UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Mrs. Ahunna Eziakonwa; and celebrated tech entrepreneur and AI Innovator, Mr. Tonee Ndungu.
They shared diverse perspectives on the theme as they spoke to an audience comprising UNILAG’s management team, deans of faculty, directors, non-teaching staff, students, and other senior officials from both institutions.
Anchored by the UNDP’s Nigeria Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the highly elucidating session kicked-off with remarks that highlighted AI as merely not just a technological tool but a big conversation for Africa’s sovereignty and inclusion.
Her remarks brought to the consciousness of attendees the need for Africa to lead in the global AI era, warning against the continent becoming a “digital colony”. She highlighted the UNDP’s commitment to creating strategies centered around improving economic and social structures while setting a moral bleprint for Africa’s future.
A Confluence of Vision and Expertise
The three panelists, representing Africa’s tripartite framework of Policy, Academic, and Innovation, took turns to deliver compelling insights on the theme. Professor Ogunsola, provided an academic perspective, championing AI’s transformative power to revolutionise education and research.
She also called for a shift in Africa’s mindset, challenging the notion that foreign solutions, technologies, or ideas are inherently superior to those developed locally. Her call to Africans to reject the “foreign-is-better” mentality, which ties into UNDP’s agenda of fostering homegrown AI ecosystems that prioritises local datasets and infrastructure to address Africa’s unique challenges.
Mrs Ahunna Eziakonwa brought a policy lens, articulating AI’s capacity to strengthen governance and foster inclusive development. She underscored its potential to tackle inequality and accelerate sustainable development advocating for the need to invest in talent, embrace innovation, as well as global AI governance.
Her words: “.. Africa must lead in creating solutions not just for itself but for the world, emphasizing the continent’s role in shaping the global AI landscape.”
Complementing these voices was celebrated tech entrepreneur, Mr. Tonee Ndungu, whose dynamic insights energised the venue. He underscored AI’s capacity to ignite entrepreneurial ecosystems across the continent in sectors like healthcare and fintech. He stressed the importance of nurturing startups and creating supportive ecosystems for African entrepreneurs. “… AI is the spark that can turn African ideas into global solutions,” he said while encouraging young innovators to seize the moment to rewrite Africa’s story in the ever-evolving tech ecosystem.
Active engagement from the audience, through thought-provoking questions and insightful contributions, elevated the discussion into a true dialogue about Africa’s place in the global AI revolution.
With the speakers captivating attendees with a compelling vision of AI as a catalyst for sustainable development, they emphasized the need for ethical frameworks to ensure AI serves all Africans equitably, highlighting Nigeria’s strategic role in leading regional AI initiatives.
A Platform for Dialogue and Inspiration
A significant highlight of the discussion was the announcement of two transformative initiatives: a national AI accelerator to be launched in Lagos and an innovation space at UNILAG, both set for commissioning in July 2025. These projects, born from the UNILAG-UNDP partnership, aim to position Nigeria as a hub for AI-driven solutions, fostering entrepreneurship, research, and policy innovation across Africa.
Earlier in the day, Mrs. Eziakonwa and her team visited Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ogunsola in her office on the 11th floor of the Senate House. She welcomed her guests alongside members of the University management including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Lucian Obinna Chukwu; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Research), Professor Bola Oboh; Registrar & Secretary to Council, Mrs. V. Abosede Wickliffe; Bursar’s representative, Mrs. Juliana Adeeyo; University Librarian, Professor Christopher Olatokunbo Okiki and Director of Academic Planning, Professor Mathew Olusoji Ilori.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Angel Idara Iwok
