Photo Caption: Government leaders, researchers, legal experts, and AI practitioners came together across three convenings to help shape the mandate, governance, and long-term direction of the Nigeria AI Trust. 

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, conversations about its future are becoming increasingly important. One such conversation is the Nigeria AI Trust, a new independent body being established under a presidential directive.

Following the founding convening held in June at Warwick Business School, The Shard, London, two Nigerian convenings were held in Lagos on 29 July and Abuja on 4 August. Together, these convenings built on the discussions from London and brought together senior thinkers, global voices, researchers, and AI experts to co-design the Trust’s mandate and form strategic alliances that will support its founding and long-term success.

The convenings were structured around four foundational questions and provocateurs on theory of change, legal longevity, financial independence, and selection legitimacy, with a cross-cutting framing guiding the discussions.

At the Abuja convening, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, delivered the welcome remarks and ministerial opening, framing the presidential mandate, the strategic rationale for constituting the trust at this time, and what the ministry requires from the convened group. In Lagos, the welcome remarks were delivered by Dr. Olubunmi Ajala on behalf of the minister.

During both convenings, Ojoma Ochai, Managing Director of CcHUB, presented the intelligence brief and framed the working session.

CcHUB, Africa’s leading innovation and creative ecosystem enabler, is anchoring this work as the research and design lead, with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

We extend our sincere appreciation to UNDP Nigeria for hosting the Abuja convening and to our distinguished speakers, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Dr. Olubunmi Ajala, Ojoma Ochai, Dr. William Tsuma, Barr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR, Mr. Oyedapo Oyekunle Olorunyomi OON, Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu and Prof. Olayinka David-West, for sharing their expertise and contributing to these important conversations.

We also thank our moderators, Aanu Oyeniran for the Lagos convening and Vahyala Kwaga for the Abuja convening, as well as Eweka Yvonne for coordinating the program.

The Nigeria AI Trust convenings reflect a shared commitment to bringing together diverse expertise to shape the Trust’s mandate and build strategic alliances that will support its founding and long-term success.