*”The future belongs to those who prepare for it” :AI4Africa The Next Revolution*
“”Africa is done watching the future from the sidelines”. That was the clear message at the AI4Africa Press Conference held at Eridan space, Ikeja, Lagos as stakeholders from media, education, tech and the private sector gathered to unveil a 3-in-1 activation aimed at placing Africans at the forefront of the Artificial Intelligence revolution.
After the event opening, a personal story was shared . The convener and the woman behind the AI 4 Africa project- Mrs Adeola Eka introduced as the AI Wonder Woman and a global AI advocate for Africa, shared her journey growing up with Sickle Cell Anaemia. She spoke of countless hospital admissions, pain, and moments when tomorrow felt uncertain. Yet she said that experience taught her one truth she has never forgotten:” your beginning does not have to determine your ending”. She believes the same for the continent.
“For too long, Africa has been defined by what it lacks. I see what Africa carries. I see brilliance. I see creativity. I see resilience. I see millions of young people waiting for one opportunity to change not only their lives, but the world,” she told the room. She noted that while the steam engine, electricity and the internet revolution each transformed civilization, Artificial Intelligence is now transforming everything. The revolution, she said, “will not wait for Africa”. The choice before us is whether we will simply consume the future or help create it. She addressed concerns about jobs directly. As AI changes the workforce, she explained, millions of roles will evolve while millions of new opportunities will emerge. The message is simple, she said: the future belongs to those who prepare for it. That is why AI4Africa exists. The goal is not for African children to only use AI, but to build it. Not for youths to keep searching for opportunities, but to create them. Not for businesses to struggle to compete, but to scale with AI. And not for women to be left behind, but to lead innovation. She also spoke to those over 40, assuring them it is not too late to be part of the movement.
The conference unveiled major activations. First is AI for the Entertainment Industry, to train creatives, musicians, filmmakers and content creators to leverage AI. Second is a planned Guinness World Record attempt to engage and empower 250,000 people across Africa in 120 days as a statement that Africa is ready. The empowerment set to begin in August. For 120 days, the team will go live 1 to 2 hours daily on all social media platforms to train people on practical AI usage.
A key part of the vision is education. Through the “100 Kids in 10,000 Schools” initiative, AI4Africa has started introducing AI learning directly into schools across Nigeria with plans to expand across Africa. The speaker stressed that if we wait until university, we are already behind, and called on government, policymakers and education leaders to make AI literacy as fundamental as Mathematics, English and Science.
To make learning engaging, AI4Africa announced a partnership with Bobo foods, a leading food and beverage company in Nigeria ( the makers of Bobo drinks products for a Summer Bootcamp called Bobolicious be registered at Boboaikids.com. This is aimed at training 25,000 kids for free. The idea is to turn learning into an adventure where children explore, imagine, create and solve problems using AI. Mr. Kelechi Anoruo, Marketing director and Strategist for Bobo foods, said the 20-year-old brand is investing because it is thinking about the next generation. He confirmed that Bobo foods products would be given to all guests at the conference.
The event was hosted by Miss Dorcas Ekume and Hakeem who recognized dignitaries including Rev. Fr. Mike Orland and Mrs. Oguntade at the high table. Mrs. Adeola Eka, Founder of AI4Africa and an AI Optimization Strategist, was formally recognized. Mr Alayande Stephen T. acknowledged media houses in attendance including Guardian newspaper, Punch, Mitv, Arise TV, The nation,Vanguard, The sun, our own Splash 9ja( TV and online) amongst others. Mr. Leo Seun Akinola gave a brief summary of the project, noting that AI4Africa is not just a brand but about an empowerment after which Spoken word artist Folakemi, with the stage name Fola Rose, performed a poem titled “AI for Africa”. Also, a documentary was screened to show practical ways Africans can leverage AI.
The peak of the event was the official unveiling of the AI Wonder Woman, the face of the movement. This was followed by a question and answer session with press and guests.
In her closing remarks, the speaker called on governments, schools, parents, businesses, the media and every African to join the movement. “Let’s prepare our children. Let’s empower our youths. Let’s transform our businesses. Let’s equip our women. Let’s inspire our communities. And together, let’s build an Africa that doesn’t merely participate in the future, but helps shape it.”
The initiative is supported by Bobo foods, Pay Ledger, Global Human Rights Trust, Eagles House Global Resources, Stay Media, HSProjects Technologies, Epished, Digitech Force Academy, AI4Africa, and BHG Consulting.
We congratulate the AI4AFRICAAI team fir this bold initiative and vision.Watch out for a special edition of this project on Splash9ja on TV from STV,, WAPTV, RAVE TV, NTA etc.
God bless Nigeria. God bless Africa.
