Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN Nigeria), in collaboration with Fidelity Bank Plc and other organisations, has encouraged young entrepreneurs from Nigeria to adopt new technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), in their business operations.
He made the call at the Youth Entrepreneurship Dialogue, tagged "Building the future with AI: Technology, Talent, and Transformation Entrepreneurship", held at the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in Lagos.
The Managing Director of GEN Nigeria, Dr Olawale Anifowose, noted that AI has become imperative for local enterprises in Nigeria to enhance productivity, drive innovation, and improve competitiveness.
This, he stated, can be achieved by automating tasks, personalising customer experiences through data analysis, and enabling entrepreneurs to build and scale new products and services more efficiently.
On enhancing efficiency and productivity, Anifowose said adopting AI would handle repetitive tasks, and, in consequence, free up employees to focus on more creative and strategic work, ultimately boosting productivity.
"When a local enterprise adopts AI, this can drive innovation and economic growth. For instance, this can foster new products and services. AI-powered solutions, like those in fintech, healthcare, and agriculture, are creating new opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs to innovate and address local needs," he added.
Speaking on the theme: The event's Guest Speaker and CEO of Bildup AI, Mr Chibuike Aguene, warned enterpreneurs on the danger of not embracing AI.
"We are transitioning into an era of hybrid intelligence where humans will augment their intelligence with AI. And when you talk about transformational entrepreneurship, it is about this era, building an intelligent system. It is systems that can adapt, learn, and evolve in real time," Aguene added.
The Head, Brand Management at Fidelity Bank Plc, Cynthia Ogbonna, explained that the decision to partner Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University was to provide opportunity for like-minded individuals to talk about entrepreneurship, technology, and talent, and scale as an economy, improve, and grow enterprises.