By Izuchukwu Mayor, Lagos
Industry stakeholders, including policy analysts, believe that rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly improve service delivery for the telecom operators in the region, just as it is already doing in the developed economy.
They spoke at the fourth edition of the West Africa Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (WATISE 4.0 and Awards) themed: “The Resilient AI Fabric: Trust, Integrity, and Sustainability in Next Generation Network Infrastructure,” organised by TechnologyMirror.
Chairman, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, in a Keynote address, was quoted as saying that the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will significantly increase demand for data and connectivity.
This, he argued, will promote resilient telecommunications infrastructure, cybersecurity, and public trust indispensable to Nigeria’s digital future.
According to him, AI is poised to transform virtually every aspect of modern life, from education and healthcare to financial services, commerce, and governance.
Beyond having basic internet access, he argued that “However, it is not enough to have connectivity. What we need is ultra-reliable connectivity, high-capacity fibre networks, low-latency transmission systems, and resilient infrastructure capable of supporting real-time applications.” Adebayo stated.
The Group Managing Director, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (ipNX), Ejovi Aror, in his presentation titled, ‘Next-G Telecoms Infrastructure and Ethical AI in Network Management,’ noted the increasing reliance on cloud services, fintech, digital commerce, and AI-powered applications.
he added that there is a growing demand for broadband and digital services, including a rapid growth in data consumption.
Aror, represented by the Director, Strategic Business Initiatives, ipNX, Olusola Teniola, illustrated the roles that AI plays in telecoms and network management, saying that AI detects and prevents failures before they impact services.
According to Aror, “The future belongs not to the nations with the most technology, but to those that deploy technology responsibly, inclusively, and in service of their people.”
The Vice President, Data and Insights, Oluwole Abegunde, called for accelerated investment in local AI infrastructure, data centres and indigenous models to reduce dependence on foreign technology platforms.
The future belongs not to the nations with the most technology, but to those that deploy technology responsibly, inclusively, and in service of their people.
Building competitive AI ecosystem
On his part, the Chief Operating Officer, WTES Projects, Chidi Ajuzie, argued that Nigeria’s ability to benefit from AI depended largely on investments in connectivity, digital literacy, local hosting facilities and AI-ready infrastructure.
Ajuzie said Nigeria remained largely a consumer within the global AI ecosystem, with limited participation in hardware manufacturing, cloud computing and AI model development.
He stressed the need for local datasets and indigenous AI models capable of reflecting African languages, cultures and realities.
He said investments in education, digital skills, cybersecurity and infrastructure would be critical to building a competitive AI ecosystem.
Speaking on infrastructure, Mr Seun Olorunnisola of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), said local internet traffic exchange remained vital to AI growth.
Olorunnisola said bringing content and AI services closer to users would improve speed, reduce latency and enhance user experience.
“Keeping more internet traffic within Nigeria will reduce latency, improve service quality and create a stronger foundation for AI applications and digital services,” he said.
According to him, AI development within Nigeria would become more viable as more internet traffic and digital content are localised.
The Director, Strategic Business Initiatives at ipNX, Olusola Teniola, identified accessibility, availability and affordability as critical factors for AI adoption.
Teniola said Nigeria and other African countries must develop confidence to build AI solutions tailored to local realities rather than relying solely on imported technologies.
“We must create an environment where infrastructure investments are protected and innovation is encouraged, enabling Nigeria to compete effectively in the global digital economy,” he said.
Also speaking, the National Secretary, Association of Financial Inclusion Agents of Nigeria (AFIAN), Stephen Adeoye, said AI was already improving fraud detection and financial services delivery.
Adeoye said financial institutions and fintech firms increasingly deploy AI tools to monitor suspicious transactions, support lending decisions and strengthen customer verification processes.
Earlier in his welcome address, the convener of WATISE, Isaiah Erhiawarien, who is also the Country Editor, TechnologyMirror,
said that the 2026 edition was designed to draw the industry to focus more on delivery services that ride on AI solutions that will impact the region’s digital economy.
