Experts to Discuss Equitable AI Partnerships at UNILAG 2025 International Week
Leading voices in technology, finance, innovation, and education are set to converge on Lagos for the 2025 International Week of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where discussions will centre on “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa.”
The week-long event, scheduled to hold from Monday, October 13, to Friday, October 17, at the university’s main campus in Akoka, Lagos, will bring together local and international stakeholders to explore the opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa’s development.
Among the headline speakers are Emmanuel Lubanzadio, Africa Lead at OpenAI; Yvonne Ike, Managing Director and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the Bank of America; Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner of Future Africa and a leading technology entrepreneur.
The event aims to foster collaboration between academia, government, and industry to ensure that AI innovation and digital transformation in Africa are built on principles of inclusivity, fairness, and shared prosperity.
According to the organisers, the 2025 edition of UNILAG International Week will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, exhibitions, and research showcases, focusing on how African institutions can shape equitable global partnerships in AI research, governance, and capacity building.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, said the theme reflects the university’s commitment to leading conversations that bridge technological advancement with social equity.
“As AI becomes increasingly central to how societies operate, it is crucial that Africa not only participates but also helps define the standards and frameworks that guide its use.
UNILAG is providing that platform for thought leadership and partnership,” she said.
Other expected participants include representatives from international universities, research institutions, global tech firms, development agencies, and Nigerian startups leveraging AI to solve local challenges.
UNILAG International Week has become one of Nigeria’s most prominent academic diplomacy platforms, providing opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking, and partnership-building between African and international institutions.
This year’s focus on AI and equitable collaboration underscores Africa’s growing relevance in global digital transformation efforts and the continent’s potential to shape the ethical and developmental dimensions of artificial intelligence.
