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“Odetola Champions Africa-Centric AI Vision at National Roundtable”

Published

6 months ago

April 29, 2025

Joel Ajayi

At the National Artificial Intelligence Stakeholders Roundtable 2025, Abiola Odetola, an emerging leader in governance, public policy strategy, and development in Nigeria, delivered a compelling message on the ethical direction and urgent need for proactive regulation of artificial intelligence across the African continent.

Speaking during the Fireside Chat on “AI Regulation and Public Policy” alongside global strategist Major Adebayo Adeleke, Odetola emphasized that Nigeria and Africa must not merely adopt AI technologies, but must actively govern, contextualize, and humanize them.
“We must not allow Artificial Intelligence to govern us; instead, we must boldly govern AI with a human-centered, inclusive approach that reflects our values, context, and aspirations as Africans,” Odetola stated, setting the tone for a forward-looking conversation.

Event Overview
The event, themed “Shaping the Future of AI Governance, Ethics, and Innovation,” was convened by the American Center for Artificial Intelligence and held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja. It brought together leaders in technology, governance, academia, and civil society to chart a strategic course for Nigeria’s AI future.

In his welcome address, Mr. Olusola Amusan, Director of the American Center for AI, emphasized a people-first approach to AI deployment in Africa. He highlighted inclusivity, security, and local relevance as critical pillars for building AI systems that work for African communities.

The keynote presentation by Professor Boniface Alese, titled “AI Defenders I: Revolutionizing Cybersecurity,” explored the intersection of AI and national security infrastructure. The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), also emphasized academia’s role in shaping indigenous research and talent pipelines.

It was against this backdrop of institutional frameworks and technical insight that Odetola’s intervention stood out — offering a human-centered counterbalance and elevating the conversation toward governance that is not only strategic, but values-driven.

The Call for Localized AI Governance
Odetola’s remarks focused heavily on the governance and policy landscape. He underscored the urgency of developing homegrown strategies for regulating AI that go beyond adopting Western norms.

“The world is in a race. But Africa must not sprint blindly. We must legislate, regulate, educate, and protect our people from being mere users of technologies they neither designed nor understood,” he said.

He warned that without clear and inclusive governance structures, AI could deepen inequality, exacerbate unemployment, and replicate existing biases embedded in data.

“AI must be taught our languages, trained with our realities, and must serve our priorities. That is governance. That is power,” he added.
Global Models, Local Realities.

Odetola acknowledged the strides made in global AI governance, noting that several models already exist around the world that seek to promote ethical, transparent, and accountable use of artificial intelligence.

However, he was quick to caution against blind imitation.

“Nigeria must not mimic without meaning,” Odetola asserted.“We need a National AI Strategy that is affordable, enforceable, and local in spirit. Our policymakers must work hand-in-hand with developers, startups, and civil society to co-create these rules.”

He emphasized that many developed nations have already begun an “ethical AI revolution,” but warned that Nigeria must not be left behind — nor fall into the trap of modern algorithmic colonization.

“The global models? They don’t speak our languages. They don’t reflect our cultures. They don’t represent our diversity,” he said.

“We must not just copy frameworks — we must create. We must code in our own context, legislate in our language, and govern with our own values.”He called for a bold new direction: one where Nigeria builds its own datasets, trains its own models, and leads the world in African-centered AI ethics.

Preparing for the Storms Ahead
While optimistic about AI’s potential, Odetola didn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges ahead: low digital literacy, infrastructure deficits, weak data protection enforcement, and a public trust deficit in governance systems.

“These are not reasons to retreat. They are signals to prepare. Nigeria’s youth, with the right support, can leapfrog into global AI leadership,” he stated.
While responding to questions during the chat, Odetola cautioned the audience:

“We must be careful how we define our national realities. For the avoidance of doubt, there are policymakers in Nigeria — people who live their lives to ensure that this country has the best of policy instruments, not just for AI but across critical sectors,” he said.

He pointed to the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation Law and the creation of the National Data Protection Commission in 2023 as evidence of progress in legislative support for AI governance.

He also acknowledged ongoing work by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in crafting a National AI Strategy, noting that discussions must be future-facing while grounded in today’s realities.

The Future is Governance
Odetola made a strong case for recognizing AI as a public good — one that must be designed and governed in service of human development.

“AI must be treated as a public good — for healthcare, for education, for agriculture, for sports, for justice. The people must be at the center of every AI deployment,” he noted.
His voice stood out not just for its policy depth, but for its moral clarity. As Nigeria inches closer to its first formal AI strategy, his words may serve as a compass — a reminder that the future is not just technological; it is political, ethical, and deeply human.

In his final words, he left the room with a challenge:

“AI governance is not a tech issue. It is a leadership issue. The real question is not what AI can do. It is — who will it serve, and who will be left behind if we do not govern it right.”

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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