Author: Okikiola O. Johnson

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is intensifying plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to reduce production costs and improve efficiency in its upstream operations. The company says the move is part of a broader strategy to modernise Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, enhance productivity, and strengthen competitiveness in the global energy market. According to senior executives, digital transformation has become essential for survival in the industry as companies face rising operational costs and efficiency pressures. “It is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’; it is an absolute necessity.” -NNPCL representative, Udobong Ntia He added that failing to…

Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a technological novelty into a central driver of global power. Beyond business and research, it now shapes international relations, economic competitiveness, and military strategy, offering nations that master it a chance at unprecedented global influence. Governments worldwide are acting with urgency, investing in AI infrastructure, shaping national policies, and forging international partnerships to secure technological sovereignty. Experts say the race now goes beyond developing AI itself-it’s about controlling the networks, data flows, computational power, and regulatory frameworks that support it. Below is an insight into how governments around the world are navigating the global…

Nigeria is moving forward with plans to establish one of the continent’s most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence, as the government and lawmakers advance legislative proposals to govern AI development, deployment, and oversight across the economy. The federal government has completed a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which outlines principles for responsible AI use, governance structures, transparency requirements, and risk management guidelines. That strategy now awaits approval by the National Assembly, according to government officials. “Artificial intelligence is a profound engine of creativity, capable of augmenting human intelligence and expanding the horizons of human possibilities. Nigeria must not be passive…

A United Nations-backed panel has warned that the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across Africa could deepen inequalities and lead to a new form of “digital colonisation,” where foreign technologies dominate local economies and extract value from the continent’s data. The warning comes from a newly established international scientific panel on AI, created with the backing of the UN General Assembly to guide global governance of the technology. The group, made up of dozens of experts from multiple countries, is expected to shape policy discussions over the next three years. Experts on the panel say Africa risks becoming overly…

OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, has called for a sweeping “New Deal”-style framework to prepare societies for the disruptive impact of artificial superintelligence, warning that governments must act early to manage the economic and social consequences of rapidly advancing AI systems. In a recent policy proposal, the OpenAI chief outlined a vision for restructuring key aspects of modern economies, arguing that superintelligent AI could transform industries, labour markets, and wealth distribution on a scale comparable to the Industrial Revolution. Altman emphasised that while AI has the potential to unlock unprecedented productivity and prosperity, it also poses serious risks, including large-scale job…

Event professionals gathered in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, for Summit Africa 5.0 to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping event management, with a strong emphasis on practical application, efficiency, and creative expansion. The summit brought together planners, creatives, vendors, and industry stakeholders to examine how AI tools can enhance coordination, improve client experience, and support the scaling of event services. Demonstrations focused on real-world use cases, showing how technology can reduce routine guesswork while enabling more informed decision-making. Speakers at the event highlighted that AI is increasingly being used to generate data-driven insights for attendance forecasting, logistics planning,…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global labour market, forcing students to reconsider their career paths. As AI automates routine and knowledge-based tasks, many students are questioning the relevance and future prospects of their chosen majors and professions. Research now provides evidence that AI influences not only career perceptions but also concrete educational decisions. Below are the findings: Research Findings A. Psychological Impact of AI A research study was conducted by Ninggui Duan of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities in China, Lina Li of Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin in Thailand, and Guangbo Lin and Hao Chen of Baise University…

First Bank of Nigeria (FirstBank) is intensifying its support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by championing the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and strategies to boost competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainable growth. The initiative was highlighted during the SMEConnect webinar on March 31, 2026, themed “AI for Business Growth: From Adoption to Integration and Scalable Impact.” “SMEs are the backbone of the Nigerian economy, and at FirstBank, we recognise that the economy cannot thrive without them-building on this foundation, we are equipping business owners with the right knowledge and practical insights on Artificial Intelligence to help them scale in…

Microsoft has unveiled major upgrades to its Microsoft 365 Copilot platform, designed to transform AI from a conversational assistant into a productivity partner capable of both advanced research and workflow automation. A central part of the update is the expansion of Copilot’s research capabilities. The new Critique feature allows multiple AI models to work together: one model generates a response while another checks for accuracy and quality before it reaches the user. Complementing this, the Council interface enables side-by-side comparison of responses from different models, helping users make more informed decisions. Corporate Vice President Nicole Herskowitz said, “Having various different…

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has intensified its call for deploying advanced technologies- including artificial intelligence, satellite systems, and big data analytics — to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to withstand escalating climate risks. Professor Charles Anosike, Director‑General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, made the appeal at the opening ceremony of the 2026 International Conference of the Nigerian Meteorological Society (NMetS) and its 35th Annual General Meeting at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State. The conference theme, “Advancing Meteorology: Harnessing AI Satellites, and Big Data for Climate Resilience and Sustainability,” illustrates the agency’s commitment to modernising weather and climate services. In…