Nigeria Positioned to Lead in AI, Experts Say at Athena Centre–U.S. Embassy Workshop
Over 200 Education Leaders from Across Nigeria Convene in Abuja to Advance Data-Driven School Governance and Responsible AI Integration
Nigeria is strategically positioned to play a leading role in the global artificial intelligence landscape, according to experts who spoke at the Applied Leadership Workshop titled “Data and AI for School Administration: From Records to Results in Nigeria’s Education System.”
The workshop was convened by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria at the NOI Polls Building, Abuja, on Friday, 27 February.
Bringing together over 200 participants—both in person and online—the convening drew representatives from federal and state ministries of education, examination bodies, school administrators and teachers from across Nigeria. Discussions focused on how robust data systems and emerging artificial intelligence technologies can strengthen accountability, improve school management and enhance learning outcomes.
Delivering the lead presentation, Dr Omoju Miller, computer scientist, AI strategist and Founder/CEO of Fimio, stated that Nigeria’s global diaspora network and demographic strength represent a strategic advantage in building an AI-driven innovation economy. She emphasised that while AI adoption is inevitable, national competitiveness will depend on building the capacity to lead, not merely participate.
Dr Agodi Alagbe, Founder of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Academy, argued that Nigeria’s education challenge is fundamentally one of data governance.
“Nigeria’s education challenge is not AI; it is data,” she said. “Quality, structured and measurable data must inform reform at all levels. Good data governance precedes digitisation.”
She noted that inconsistent and poorly validated datasets on enrolment, teacher deployment, learning outcomes and infrastructure remain significant barriers to effective policy design.
Providing a government reform perspective, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State, presented virtually on transitioning from paper-based administration to integrated digital systems, including Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), Student Management Systems (SMS) and Learning Management Systems (LMS). Drawing on Ogun State’s DiPER experience, he demonstrated that digital transformation is achievable even within infrastructure-constrained environments when supported by institutional discipline and policy clarity.
Moderating the session, Chidima Chidoka, Director of the Athena Centre, underscored the importance of institutional readiness, noting that artificial intelligence strengthens governance only where strong systems already exist.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants who completed the required assessments were awarded certificates of completion. Participating institutions will also receive a personalised AI Preparedness and Data Governance Assessment Report identifying operational gaps and outlining structured next steps towards responsible AI integration.
The workshop forms part of the Athena Centre’s broader mission to promote evidence-based governance and practical policy innovation in Nigeria. Participants agreed that strengthening education data architecture is the essential first step towards building a modern, accountable and AI-ready school system.
The Athena Centre for Policy & Leadership expresses its sincere appreciation to the United States Embassy, Abuja, for its continued partnership in advancing responsible and contextually grounded innovation in Nigeria’s education sector.
