Nigeria AI Collective unveils bold initiatives for AI innovation and collaboration at DataFest Africa 2025

The Nigeria AI Collective took center stage at DataFest Africa 2025, Africa’s largest gathering of AI practitioners, innovators, startups, and researchers. Held in Lagos, the event drew over 3,000 in-person attendees and engaged thousands more virtually, serving as a continental hub for advancing Africa’s AI development agenda.

Under the theme “AI in Africa: Solving Today’s Problems, Building Tomorrow’s Systems,” DataFest Africa 2025 featured over 50 distinguished speakers, a hackathon tackling real African challenges, live product demonstrations from leading AI companies, and cross-border networking sessions that connected the continent’s brightest AI minds.

As part of the event, the Nigeria AI Collective announced a suite of strategic initiatives aimed at accelerating AI innovation, collaboration, and capacity building across Nigeria. These include:

• National AI Repository: A centralized platform for datasets, solutions, and events to encourage collaboration and open knowledge sharing across Nigeria’s AI ecosystem.
• National AI Hackathon: Leveraging a collection of 3,000 hours of curated Nigerian language datasets, this hackathon will drive the creation of AI solutions rooted in local context and culture.
• AI Research and Innovation Showcase: Featuring groundbreaking work from National AI Collective researchers and AI Fellows from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and Lagos Business School.
• Startup Engagement Opportunities: The Collective opened applications for innovators and emerging AI startups to join its Startups Community, designed to promote collaboration, mentorship, and ecosystem growth.

Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi, Founder and CEO of Data Science Nigeria, and an implementing partner of the Nigeria AI Collective, who was represented by Oluwaseun Nifemi at the event quoted:

“What we’re doing with the Nigeria AI Collective is much bigger than technology; it’s about shaping a future where AI becomes a force for national transformation. By nurturing local talent, building homegrown solutions, and creating platforms for collaboration, we’re proving that Nigeria can lead in designing AI that truly serves its people and the continent at large.”

These initiatives underscore the Nigeria AI Collective’s mission to build a sustainable, inclusive, and ethical AI ecosystem; one that empowers innovators, bridges research and application, and positions Nigeria as a continental leader in responsible AI development.

About the Nigeria Al Collective

The Nigeria AI Collective is a pioneering community of practice dedicated to ensuring that AI development and adoption in Nigeria are safe, ethical, and impactful. Initiated by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, the Collective operates within an enabling policy environment that fosters responsible AI governance and innovation.

Supported by Luminate, Ford Foundation, and Al Collaborative, the Collective is managed by Data Science Nigeria, Lagos Business School, and the Centre for Journalism Innovation & Development, and is coordinated by the Policy Innovation Centre.

Our mission is to drive ethical AI governance, innovation, and capacity building, empowering Nigeria to shape the future of AI both locally and globally. Through strategic collaboration across civil society, academia, and the AI ecosystem, we champion AI for the public good, policy development, and responsible adoption.

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