As Nigeria—and the world—grapples with fears of artificial intelligence displacing workers, one prominent voice from Kwara State offers a different perspective. Professor Abiodun Aibinu, a leading figure in mechatronics and the Vice‑Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, firmly believes AI is an engine for job creation, not elimination. His reflections, made ahead of the IndabaX Nigeria 2025 Conference, paint a picture of AI as a catalyst for innovation, opportunity, and societal uplift.
Table of Contents
Reframing the AI narrative
In a media briefing on July 18, Professor Aibinu acknowledged widespread concerns about AI-induced unemployment. But he offered a compelling counter-narrative:
“Contrary to widespread fears, AI will not displace workers en masse. Instead, it will create new industries and job roles that never existed before.”
He reinforced that AI isn’t a job destroyer—it’s a growth multiplier. By reorienting economies toward knowledge-driven innovation, AI becomes a tool of transformation rather than termination.
AI as the engine of a knowledge-based economy
Professor Aibinu described AI as the driving force behind a modern knowledge economy—a system that thrives on intellectual capital, creativity, and digital innovation. He noted AI’s capacity to boost productivity, unlock new avenues of commerce, and enhance educational outcomes, particularly in sectors like security, agriculture, and remote sensing.
This perspective challenges the doom-and-gloom narrative by emphasising AI’s potential to elevate Africa’s position on the global innovation landscape.
Real-world applications: from poultry farms to national security
One of the most striking aspects of Professor Aibinu’s message was his team’s current research applying AI to local problems, like egg theft in smallholder poultry farms. By deploying AI-powered surveillance and detection systems, they hope to safeguard livelihoods and improve farmer income, showcasing AI’s tangible benefits to everyday Nigerians.
He also highlighted how machine vision and drones can bolster security infrastructure, supporting precise tracking and situational awareness across borders and disaster zones.
IndabaX Nigeria 2025: Africa’s AI crucible
Set to run from July 18–20, IndabaX Nigeria 2025 at Summit University in Offa will convene over 300 AI professionals, including academics, entrepreneurs, and innovators from across Africa.
According to the event’s steering committee chair, Dr Ahmed Olanrewaju, the gathering is not just a conference—it is a platform for policy dialogue, cross-border collaboration, and real-world solutions tailored to Africa’s needs. Mrs Ganiyat Afolabi‑Yusuf, local organizing chair, describes it as a laboratory of ideas, a place where African minds solve African problems.
Riding the Fourth Industrial Revolution
“We are deep in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Professor Aibinu stated, pointing to the dawn of cyber‑physical systems and autonomous technologies. He warned that AI is not a distant concept—it is already exceeding human capabilities in various domains. Nigerian institutions, he stressed, must prepare the workforce for this transformative wave.
Importantly, he affirmed that ethical development, democratic access to AI education, and pan-African collaboration undergird both the conference’s agenda and Nigeria’s broader AI strategy.
Key takeaway:
| Topic | Highlights |
|---|---|
| AI and Job Creation | AI set to birth new industries; unlikely to cause mass job losses |
| Prof. Abiodun Aibinu’s view | AI as enabler—enhancing productivity, generating new careers |
| Real-world AI use | Egg-theft AI solution; drones for security surveillance |
| IndabaX Nigeria 2025 Congress | 300+ attendees; policy dialogue; African-led solutions |
| Preparing for Industry 4.0 | Nigeria urged to build skilled, ethical, AI-ready workforce |
Concludion
Professor Abiodun Aibinu delivers a compelling, hopeful perspective: AI won’t steal jobs—it will expand them, giving rise to roles we haven’t yet imagined. IndabaX Nigeria 2025 isn’t just a conference—it’s a launchpad for ideas and action, where Nigerian and African innovators share the responsibility—and privilege—of shaping AI’s future in their communities.
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