Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant possibility—it is transforming economies, industries, and the way work is done. Speaking on AriseTV’s Global Business Report, digital transformation coach and futurist David Adeoye Abodunrin emphasized that AI is not a future trend but a current economic force shaping productivity and wealth creation worldwide. “AI is not the future, it is already here,” Abodunrin said. “What many people call the future is simply the outcome of how we prepare for AI today.”
Adeoye Abodunrin warned that Nigeria risks missing the global AI wave unless urgent reforms are made. He explained that while advanced economies rapidly position AI as a major export, Nigeria is still grappling with outdated education systems, weak infrastructure, and a lack of large-scale AI skill deployment. “AI is moving at geometric speed, while our institutions are still responding at an arithmetic pace,” he cautioned, highlighting the need for rapid government and private-sector coordination.
The consequences of slow AI adoption, according to Abodunrin, will be felt most acutely by Nigeria’s youth. Universities continue to produce graduates for roles that are rapidly becoming obsolete, creating a dangerous skills mismatch. “We are training young people en masse for jobs that the future economy will not need,” he said. Preparing workers for emerging AI-driven roles across finance, media, governance, and advanced services is crucial to preventing economic stagnation.
While acknowledging fears around job losses, Abodunrin stressed the enormous opportunities AI presents if Nigeria acts strategically. He urged immediate curriculum reforms, robust reskilling programs, and collaboration between government, educators, and industry leaders. “Some jobs will disappear, pretending otherwise is dishonest,” he said. “But there is far more to gain if Nigeria coordinates its response properly.”
Concluding the discussion, Abodunrin framed AI as a national economic imperative, not just a technological issue. He highlighted that effective deployment of AI could transform it into one of Nigeria’s most valuable exports, while inaction risks the country falling behind in the global economy. “This is something everybody needs to work on, especially at the highest macroeconomic levels,” he said. “If Nigeria gets this right, AI can democratize opportunity and drive lasting economic growth.”
source: techeconomy