Nigeria Innovation Summit 2026: Africa’s Innovation Community Gathers in Lagos to Shape the Future in the Age of AI

With just days to go, all is set for the 11th edition of the Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS), as innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, technology leaders, researchers, business executives and development stakeholders from Nigeria and around the world prepare to converge in Lagos to explore how AI and emerging technologies can accelerate development across Africa.

Themed “Innovating in the Age of AI,” the 2026 Summit will hold on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, from 9:00 a.m. The hybrid summit will provide both physical and virtual participation opportunities.

At the heart of NIS 2026 will be conversations around the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. One of the major panel sessions, “AI for Africa: Transforming Education, Agriculture & Healthcare at Scale,” will examine how AI can be applied to address some of Africa’s most pressing development challenges and expand access to better services, knowledge and opportunities.

Another major conversation, “Building Trusted AI for Africa: Policy, Regulation, Data Governance, & Investment for the Future,” will focus on the frameworks, safeguards, investments and partnerships required to develop and deploy AI responsibly across the continent.

The summit will also explore the broader implications of AI for business transformation, entrepreneurship, digital infrastructure, innovation policy, research commercialisation, inclusion and the future of work.

NIS 2026 will feature an impressive line-up of public-sector leaders, technology executives, entrepreneurs, innovators and global thought leaders.

Among the distinguished speakers listed for the summit are Engr. Rasheed O. Ojulari, Chief Innovation Officer, NNPC Limited, Research, Technology & Innovation; Jara Pascual, CEO, Collabwith; Nelson T. Ajulo, CEO/CTO and Co-Founder, MyHives; Ngozi Aderibigbe, Partner, Gray & Silicon Legal Advisors; Michael Pepper, AI Systems & Personal Branding Strategist; Kevin Eze, Founder, SounDisruptr and African Food Network; Bisola Fasanya, Founder, Atel Q; and Ademola Osindero, Founder, Stackchase Limited.

Also featured are Olufunke Olufon, Founder/Principal Consultant, Iwà Consulting; Toyosi Badejo-Okusanya, CEO/Founder, Adaptive Atelier; Bharat Kundra, Programme Specialist, GenU 9JA, UNICEF Nigeria; Dr. Goodluck Nnorom, Strategic Leadership Researcher & Entrepreneur; Engr. Alex Omaghomi, Group CEO, Zilex Holdings & Hostplace Group; and other leading voices from across Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

The breadth of the speaker line-up reflects the summit’s focus on bringing together different perspectives around the intersection of technology, innovation, business, policy and development.

NIS 2026 will feature a range of activities designed to move beyond discussion and create opportunities for engagement, learning, discovery and collaboration. Highlights include insightful presentations by thought leaders and industry experts; Nigeria Innovation Experience Talks (NiX Talks) — a series of focused, high-impact presentations from innovators challenging the status quo; Exhibitions and product demonstrations; innovation showcases, providing opportunities for innovators and organisations to demonstrate solutions; networking sessions connecting entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, businesses and ecosystem stakeholders; and Innovation Tours, offering selected delegates an opportunity to experience innovative organisations and technology environments

The summit will climax with the 2026 Nigeria Innovation Awards, a major highlight of NIS designed to recognise outstanding individuals, organisations and initiatives contributing to Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. The awards will bring together business leaders, innovators, government representatives, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to celebrate innovation and recognise contributions that are helping to advance technology, enterprise and development in Nigeria.

According to Tony Ajah, Programme Director, Nigeria Innovation Summit, the 2026 edition comes at an important moment as AI increasingly reshapes industries, businesses and societies.

“This year we will explore how AI and emerging technologies can accelerate national development, transform industries, improve public services, strengthen businesses, and create new opportunities for millions of Africans. AI is not just a tool; it’s a seed. And those who recognize it early, plant it wisely, and harness its surplus will rise.”

Ajah added: “As a nation blessed with a youthful population, entrepreneurial spirit, and abundant talent, Nigeria has an opportunity to become not just a consumer of AI technologies but a creator of solutions that address local challenges and compete globally.”

Attendance at the summit is free, but registration is required for physical participation. The summit will also be available virtually, enabling participants beyond Lagos and Nigeria to join the conversations.

Register now at innovationsummit.ng and be part of the summit that is redefining Africa’s innovation story.