Ondo Varsity to host Akerele-Ogunsiji for annual lecture on AI – Daily Trust

The College of Computing on the Federal College of Know-how, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State has introduced famend Synthetic Intelligence governance professional, schooling reform advocate and expertise entrepreneur, Dr. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, because the visitor lecturer for its 2026 Distinguished Annual Lecture.

The lecture, scheduled for July 15, 2026, on the Obafemi Awolowo Auditorium, FUTA, will deliver collectively teachers, researchers, policymakers, college students, expertise innovators and trade leaders to focus on the way forward for Synthetic Intelligence (AI) and the position of African universities within the international intelligence economic system.

Themed “From Synthetic Intelligence Customers to Creators: Getting ready African Universities for the International Intelligence Economic system by way of Computing Training, Analysis and Trade Collaboration,” the lecture will focus on how increased schooling establishments throughout Africa can reposition themselves to produce AI innovators reasonably than merely customers of rising applied sciences.

In accordance to the organisers, the occasion will discover methods for strengthening computing schooling, advancing interdisciplinary analysis, selling accountable AI governance and fostering stronger partnerships between universities and trade.

Talking forward of the lecture, Dr. Akerele-Ogunsiji harassed the necessity for African establishments to take a number one position in AI improvement.

“The long run competitiveness of countries will more and more rely on their capability to produce intelligence, not merely eat it. Universities subsequently have a historic accountability to educate a brand new technology of innovators able to constructing Synthetic Intelligence that displays Africa’s realities, values and aspirations,” she stated.

Dr. Akerele-Ogunsiji is the Founding father of Rise Networks and Rise Interactive Studios Africa, organisations centered on digital innovation, Synthetic Intelligence for Growth (AI4D), digital inclusion and inventive expertise throughout the continent.

She not too long ago earned a Physician of Philosophy (PhD) in Defence and Strategic Research, the place her analysis examined the implications of Synthetic Intelligence for Nigeria’s nationwide and financial safety within the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Over the previous twenty years, she has championed technology-driven improvement initiatives aimed toward equipping younger Africans with expertise in information science, AI and digital innovation. Her organisation, Rise Networks, obtained the Social Impression Award on the 2025 Nigeria Innovation Awards for its contributions to technology-enabled improvement.

Internationally, she has participated in main international discussions on AI governance, together with the AI Security Summit hosted by the UK Authorities at Bletchley Park, and the AI Impression Summit in India, the place she advocated better African illustration in international AI policymaking.

Past expertise coverage, Akerele-Ogunsiji can also be the creator of Makemation, broadly recognised as Africa’s first characteristic movie on Synthetic Intelligence. The movie has been screened at establishments together with Harvard College and King’s School London, producing conversations round AI, ethics, innovation and schooling.

Makemation not too long ago gained the Greatest Use of AI Innovation in Movie and Content material Award on the 2026 MarkHack competitors, additional highlighting its influence in selling technology-driven storytelling and innovation in Africa’s inventive trade.

FUTA stated the annual lecture is anticipated to stimulate nationwide discourse on the way forward for increased schooling and Synthetic Intelligence whereas inspiring universities throughout Africa to embrace innovation, collaboration and accountable expertise management.

The establishment famous that the occasion comes at a vital time as nations compete for management in AI improvement, emphasizing the necessity for African universities to grow to be globally recognised centres for AI analysis, innovation and information creation.