…event opens with unveiling of new state AI-powered portal and wide stakeholder engagement
The Kwara AI Summit 2025 opened on Wednesday with strong attendance and major technology announcements, marking a significant step in the state’s push to position itself as a leader in Nigeria’s emerging artificial intelligence landscape. Flow FM 92.7 was among the media organisations present at the opening ceremony.
The two-day summit, taking place at the Ilorin Innovation Hub (IIH), drew government officials, private sector leaders, academics, and hundreds of participants. Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe said the summit reflects the administration’s drive to secure Kwara’s future through digital inclusion and AI-powered public services.
Commissioners from Works, Youth Development, Water Resources, Tertiary Education, and Business, Innovation and Technology were in attendance, alongside tech partners, university representatives, and start-ups.
A highlight of the day was a glimpse into the new AI-enabled Kwara State Portal. The platform was demonstrated by the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Adelodun, and IIH Managing Director Temi Kolawole. The portal includes features like the human chat digital assistant, a misinformation verification tool, access to government documents and press materials, and a digital workflow connected to the state’s GIS system aimed at easing Certificate of Occupancy applications.
The programme continued with a panel session titled AI in Harmony, where speakers discussed the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence, ethical guidelines for deployment, and Nigeria’s competitive advantage if properly positioned. Panelists agreed that regulation, local capacity building, and public trust will determine how AI benefits communities.
Breakout activities followed, including a Core AI Track focused on technical systems, a Creative Economics Track looking at the future workforce and business use cases, and a Youth Hackathon where students worked on real-world AI problem-solving.
Flow FM’s Assistant General Manager, Obasa Olubanke, attended the first day of the summit after receiving a formal invitation from IIH. The station’s Chairman and Stëfolga Group Managing Director, Engr. Chief Olufemi Sanni Araba, was acknowledged by organisers for the station’s role in supporting innovation-focused conversations in the state.
Day one concluded with positive feedback from participants who described the summit as timely in view of global technological shifts. The day 2 continues on Friday the 28th of November.
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