Nigeria Leads AI Innovation at Dubai Forum: A Bold Step for Global Tech Diplomacy
Nigeria made a powerful statement at the Dubai AI Week 2025, underscoring its rising influence in the global digital economy. The event, held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, brought together leading innovators from around the world to explore advancements in artificial intelligence. Nigeria’s delegation, curated and hosted by prominent tech entrepreneur Folajimi Daodu, CEO of Vault Hill and Co-Founder of Safira Events, was one of the largest from Africa, highlighting the country’s expanding role in the global tech landscape.
The Nigerian team featured top AI entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders such as Yinka Iyinolakan of CDIAL, Omi Iyamu of AVA AI, Esther Iyamu of GrowthQ, and several others. These delegates participated in a range of activities at the Dubai AI Assembly, including keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions, demonstrating Nigeria’s vibrant AI-driven innovations in education, customer engagement, and business development. Their participation signaled Nigeria’s growing importance in global AI dialogue and showcased the nation’s commitment to technological advancement.
A notable contribution from the Nigerian delegation was the presentation of Indigenius AI and Stakestack AI by CDIAL. These platforms, developed to enhance local language processing and adaptive learning, received significant international attention, attracting potential partners and investors. The success of these platforms at the summit demonstrated the increasing relevance of AI solutions tailored to local needs and cultural contexts, setting the stage for further collaboration with global tech players.
Nigeria’s presence at the Dubai AI forum aligns with the country’s broader digital transformation agenda, as articulated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This vision prioritizes innovation, international cooperation, and digital empowerment as central pillars of Nigeria’s economic strategy. The event highlighted the significant groundwork laid by organizations like the Nigeria AI Collective and Data Science Nigeria, which continue to drive policy development and grassroots engagement in the tech sector.
The country’s strategic involvement in Dubai AI Week 2025 marks a shift from peripheral participation to central engagement in the global AI conversation. With ongoing efforts to expand digital infrastructure and cultivate innovation, Nigeria’s future in AI appears poised for further growth. The summit was not only a demonstration of Nigeria’s capabilities but also a clear signal that the nation is actively building and exporting its digital future on the world stage.
Source: Business day