All roads led to the J.F. Ade Ajayi (Main) Auditorium, University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, venue of an engaging programme cum dialogue on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the dynamic landscape of work in the age of intelligent technologies.
Organised by the US Mission in Nigeria, the event featured the Chief Executive Officer of FIMIO, Dr. Omoju Miller, who delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its career prospects.
The audience comprised students from UNILAG and other tertiary institutions across Lagos State, alongside faculty members and industry stakeholders.
Audacity and Innovation in a Changing Work Culture
The lecture themed: “Careers in Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges”, challenged participants to cultivate an audacious spirit capable of propelling them to take bold and calculated risks.
Dr. Miller emphasized the dramatic evolution of workplace culture, noting that ingenuity, creativity, and non-conformity have consistently driven groundbreaking developments across all spheres of human endeavour. She encouraged students to embrace continuous learning and adaptability in order to remain relevant in a rapidly transforming job market.
Highlighting Nigeria’s demographic advantage of approximately sixty (60) percent of the population being under 25, Dr. Miller noted that the country holds significant potential to shape the future of AI in Africa. She urged young people to reskill and position themselves strategically for emerging opportunities in the global AI ecosystem.
While underscoring the benefits of Artificial Intelligence, she also cautioned against over-dependence on technology. She advised students to avoid using AI as an escape mechanism and instead prioritize building authentic human relationships alongside technological competence.
Institutional Commitment to AI Advancement
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Afolabi Lesi who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS at the event, described the programme as a testament to UNILAG’s commitment to advancing AI research, adoption, and application.
Professor Lesi noted that beyond ongoing efforts to develop a robust institutional AI policy, the event forms part of the University’s broader global engagement strategy aimed at positioning its students to thrive in the ongoing AI revolution.
Also speaking at the event, the Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, Julia McKay, stated that the selection of UNILAG for the public engagement underscores the University’s status as a strategic partner of the United States Government.
Reaffirming the U.S. Mission’s goal of fostering connections for growth and inclusive development, she referenced the upcoming “Freedom 250” commemoration marking the 250th Independence Anniversary of the United States, which will include strategic engagements bringing American experts to Nigeria.
Panel Session Explores AI’s Future in Nigeria and Africa
The event also featured a panel discussion with distinguished experts including Dr. Babatunde Sawyer (Associate Professor of AI and Optimization, UNILAG), Temi Odude (Senior AI Solutions Architect/Engineer at Microsoft), and Dr. Omoju Miller. The session was moderated by Azeezat Olaoluwa, West African Correspondent for DW News.
Panelists examined the implications of AI for Nigeria and Africa, addressing contemporary challenges, emerging career pathways, and the rapid growth in AI product development and commercialization particularly among young innovators.
The consensus among speakers was clear: the future of AI in Nigeria and across Africa is a shared responsibility. Stakeholders across academia, industry, and government must collectively embrace artificial intelligence as a transformative tool rather than perceive it as a threat.
Photograph: Ayo Oloyede
