No fewer than 40 African countries are participating in the IndabaX Nigeria 2025 conference holding at Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, with over 300 artificial intelligence (AI) experts, researchers, and tech enthusiasts in attendance.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, made the disclosure during a press briefing on Tuesday. He said the event would also feature the commissioning of the fourth generation of AI technology developed by a pan-African team.

Prof. Aibinu, a specialist in Mechatronics Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, described the conference as the largest continental AI gathering of its kind, noting that more than 30 tertiary institutions are participating.

“Allaying fears that AI could worsen unemployment, Aibinu argued that artificial intelligence would instead open new employment opportunities and fuel economic transformation.

“Contrary to widespread fears, AI will not displace workers en masse. Instead, it will create new industries and job roles that never existed before,” he said.

The VC described AI as the engine of the knowledge economy, with the potential to revolutionise commerce, education, agriculture, and national security. As part of practical innovations, he revealed that his team is currently developing an AI-powered solution to combat egg theft in smallholder poultry farms.

“We’re using AI-driven surveillance and detection systems to support farmers. This is just one example of how AI can directly address community-based challenges,” he said.

Aibinu also highlighted how emerging technologies such as drones and machine vision could help strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by enabling remote surveillance, object tracking, and precision targeting.

“AI is the naked truth of our time. It is here to stay and it’s here to help,” he said, adding that the IndabaX 2025 conference is focused on the democratisation of knowledge, ethical AI development, and the creation of practical solutions to Africa’s development challenges.

He further noted that the world is now in the fourth industrial revolution—an age dominated by cyber-physical systems. “AI is advancing toward autonomy and will soon surpass human intelligence in several domains. We must be ready.”

Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Steering Committee, Mr. Ahmed Olanrewaju, described IndabaX Nigeria as the continent’s premier convergence of AI minds and a critical platform for policy dialogue, innovation, and collaboration.

The Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Mrs. Ganiyat Afolabi-Yusuf, said the three-day event, which commenced on Monday, is designed to foster learning, networking, and hands-on problem-solving.

“It’s not just a conference; it’s a laboratory for African solutions to African problems,” she said.