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By By Osasómé C.O
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) held its first-ever RAIN Tech Summit 1.0 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The event marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward becoming a global player in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Officially inaugurated by Governor Seyi Makinde, the summit sought to inspire innovation, and foster industry connections. It also highlighted the potential of AI and robotics to address critical challenges in Nigeria and beyond.
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The summit, themed “The RAIN of Transformation Is Upon Us: CEOs Arise!”, featured Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as the keynote speaker. Tijani praised the summit’s organisers for setting the stage for Nigeria’s relevance in the ever-expanding fields of AI and robotics. He highlighted the pivotal role of young innovators in advancing local content and positioning the country at the forefront of technological breakthroughs.
“Yesterday, I was pleased to spend time with young, innovative minds in Ibadan at the RAIN Summit organized by Dr. Olusola Ayoola, Founder of RAIN. This indigenous technology company is advancing local content in robotics and AI—fields with immense promise for solving critical challenges of our time,” said Tijani.
Keynote Sessions and Notable Speakers
Dr. Olusola Ayoola, Founder and CEO of RAIN, described the summit as a platform to gather Nigeria’s brightest minds in AI and robotics. Other notable speakers included:
- Prof. Abiodun Aibinu, Vice-Chancellor, Summit University, who delivered a presentation titled “SWOT Analysis of Hardware Development in Nigeria,” addressing challenges faced by hardware startups.
- Olu Akanmu, Academic Director of the Tech Leap Initiative at Lagos Business School, who provided insights on building resilient tech businesses in Nigeria.
- Chuks Ekwueme, Chairman of Uniccon Group, known for launching Omeife, Africa’s first humanoid robot in 2022.
- Obi Ebuka David, Founder of AutogonAI, who contributed to panel discussions on advancing Nigeria’s technological ecosystem for global competitiveness.
Summit Highlights: Competition and Panel Discussions
A major highlight of the summit was a competition involving 194 teams, where participants showcased innovative AI and robotics projects. The competition featured expert judges, including Bunmi Ajala, National Director of the National Centre for AI and Robotics, and Chinedu Ogwus, Regional Director for Africa, RAS, SPE International. Cash prizes were awarded to top-performing teams, fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration among young tech enthusiasts.
Panel discussions also focused on advancing Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, addressing critical themes such as:
- Bridging the gap in hardware and AI development.
- Overcoming challenges faced by Nigerian startups.
- Strategies to position Nigeria for global competitiveness in AI and robotics.
RAIN’s Vision: Positioning Nigeria as a Global Exporter of AI Solutions
As a leading indigenous technology hub, RAIN is dedicated to advancing robotics development and artificial intelligence in Nigeria. The organisation aims to position the country as a major exporter of next-generation AI and robotics solutions.
According to Dr. Ayoola, the summit was designed to address both challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s AI and robotics subsector. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to collaborate and innovate.
“This summit underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and empowering the next generation of Nigerian technologists. We are building solutions not only for Nigeria but for the world,” Ayoola stated.
Economic and Developmental Implications
The RAIN Tech Summit aligns with Nigeria’s broader goal of achieving global technological relevance and fostering sustainable development through technology. The event reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government, which prioritizes human capital development and digital transformation as drivers of economic growth.
The summit also highlighted the economic potential of Nigeria’s tech sector:
- By investing in robotics and AI, Nigeria can diversify its economy and reduce dependency on traditional sectors.
- The local development of hardware and AI solutions can attract foreign investments and create job opportunities for Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population.
