Kwara State Governor Advocates Collaboration for AI and Digital Solutions
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has urged researchers, investors, and innovators to collaborate with government entities to advance artificial intelligence (AI) and digital solutions across sectors like agriculture, health, education, and governance. His call to action came during the 4th Biennial International Conference, co-hosted by the University of Ilorin’s Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences and Redon University in Russia.
Training Initiatives to Empower the Youth
Abdulrazaq emphasized that the effectiveness of AI is determined by people’s ability to understand and utilize technology. He highlighted initiatives such as the Ilorin Innovation Hub and TechUnlimited, which have trained thousands of young individuals in key areas, including data analysis, software development, and the fundamentals of AI.
Strategic Partnerships to Enhance Digital Infrastructure
The governor noted that Kwara is positioning itself as an attractive partner for global technology companies. A Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Embassy has connected the state’s innovation hub to an international network of expertise, guidance, and funding. Additionally, partnerships with companies like IHS Towers and MTN aim to expand digital infrastructure and foster youth innovation through structured, collaborative efforts rather than mere corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Aiming to Position Kwara as a Tech Investment Hub
Speaking through his Special Adviser Alhaji Saadu Salau, Abdulrazaq shared his vision of making Ilorin and Kwara a reliable destination for technology investments and talent throughout West Africa. He also discussed the KwaraLEARN initiative, which employs real-time data and digital tools to enhance educational outcomes in public primary schools across all 16 municipalities of the state.
Call for Regulated AI Integration
The governor also stressed the need for legislative measures to regulate the introduction of AI, aiming to mitigate its potential negative impacts. He insisted that current innovations must operate within a framework of legal and ethical guidelines.
Insights from the Nigeria Customs Service
In a keynote address, Bashir Adeniyi, Auditor General of the Nigeria Customs Service, highlighted that the digital era is ultimately about human experiences. He noted that the real challenge for contemporary society lies not in the machines themselves but in the collective wisdom with which technology is adopted. Adeniyi pointed to data from the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System, revealing that electronic payment transactions in Nigeria approached N1.007 trillion in 2024, equating to roughly $702.6 billion at that year’s exchange rate.
The Global Shift Towards Digital Transformation
Adeniyi projected that the NIBSS Instant Payments system is expected to process N285 trillion in the first quarter of 2025 alone, marking a 25% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. He remarked that African nations increasingly recognize Nigeria’s instant payments system as a pioneering model on the continent. As digital technologies advance, he noted, mobile phones have transcended mere communication devices, evolving into banks, marketplaces, and service centers. Moreover, global e-commerce volume surged from $17 trillion in 2016 to $27 trillion in 2022, as reported by the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
The Role of AI in Education and Customs Administration
While discussing AI’s transformative impact, Adeniyi clarified that AI should not be seen as a competitor to human intelligence but as an augmentative tool designed for pattern recognition, content generation, and large-scale predictions. He acknowledged the potential benefits of AI in educational settings, such as automating grading and translating materials, while asserting that it cannot replace the crucial roles played by educators in guiding and mentoring students.
University Curricula Must Evolve with Technology
Adeniyi urged universities to amend their curricula to emphasize critical thinking, interdisciplinary approaches, ethics, effective communication, and hands-on problem-solving skills to better prepare students for an increasingly digital world. In his opening remarks, Professor Wahab Egbewole, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, underlined the timely nature of the conference, themed “Disruptive Technologies, Humans, and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” as a platform for fostering dialogue and innovation among academics and experts from diverse backgrounds.
