Leading policymakers, technology executives, academics and artificial intelligence professionals will converge on Port Harcourt from September 28 to 30 for the second Artificial Intelligence for Development Conference, also known as GrowAI 2026.

Organised by the Practical Artificial Intelligence Development Foundation, PAIDeF, the three-day conference will be held at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Auditorium, Port Harcourt, under the theme, "AI for Intergenerational Growth."

The conference is being convened under the leadership of the President of PAIDeF, Prof. Oludele Awodele, working with the Foundation's national executive and conference organising team. Through GrowAI 2026, PAIDeF seeks to deepen collaboration among government, academia, industry, technology professionals and development organisations on the responsible use of artificial intelligence to address Nigeria's social and economic challenges.

The conference is expected to provide a platform for discussions on how artificial intelligence can be responsibly deployed to expand economic opportunities, improve public services, strengthen businesses and prepare different generations of Nigerians for a technology-driven future.

The Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is listed as Chief Host, while the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, will deliver the keynote address.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, will serve as Conference Chairman. His participation is expected to enrich conversations around Nigeria's digital economy, artificial intelligence policy, innovation, digital skills and the development of an enabling environment for technology-driven growth.

The conference will also feature a diverse group of guest speakers drawn from academia, industry, cybersecurity, data science, digital education and technology consulting.

Among the speakers is Prof. Rita Orji of the Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Canada. Her work lies at the intersection of technology, human behaviour and socially responsible computing, bringing an international academic perspective to the conference's examination of human-centred and inclusive artificial intelligence.

Prof. Philip Ogunbona, who is listed as Deputy Dean for Growth and Global Affairs, will also speak at the conference, contributing insights from his experience in academia, research and institutional development.

Other speakers include Vangelis Oden, Vice-President of AI Services at Bluechip Technologies; Blessing Oladeji, Managing Consultant at Octave Analytics and Insights Limited; Christian Ekwuruibe, an artificial intelligence educator and digital skills trainer; Prof. Tanko Ishaya, an expert in artificial intelligence, data science and cybersecurity; and Michael Adewusi, Cyber Defence Lead and Security Operations Centre Manager at Esentry Systems Limited.

Their combined experience is expected to support practical discussions on the application of artificial intelligence across business, education, governance, research, cybersecurity and workforce development.

GrowAI 2026 will examine several areas in which artificial intelligence is already creating opportunities and raising important policy and development questions. These include AI and education, agriculture, healthcare, workforce development, small and medium-sized enterprises, business transformation, cybersecurity, research and innovation, national development, and the participation of women and young people in the emerging AI economy.

The programme will also address responsible artificial intelligence, explainable and human-centred AI, policy and governance, and the need to ensure that the benefits of emerging technologies are available to people and communities beyond Nigeria's major technology centres.

According to the organisers, the conference is designed to bring together experts, researchers, industry professionals, innovators and policymakers to exchange knowledge, build networks and showcase developments in artificial intelligence.

The theme, "AI for Intergenerational Growth," reflects the need to approach artificial intelligence as more than a short-term technological trend. It places emphasis on using AI to create lasting value for present and future generations while building the skills, institutions, policies and safeguards required for sustainable development.

The conference comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to deepen its digital economy, develop a national artificial intelligence ecosystem and improve the capacity of young people and professionals to participate in emerging technology industries.

It will therefore provide an opportunity for participants to engage with both the potential and the challenges of AI adoption, including access to infrastructure, skills development, data governance, cybersecurity, ethical deployment, local innovation and the translation of research into practical solutions.

GrowAI 2026 is also expected to encourage collaboration among government institutions, universities, technology companies, professional organisations, researchers, entrepreneurs and development-focused organisations. Such collaboration is considered essential to building an AI ecosystem capable of responding to Nigeria's social and economic priorities.

PAIDeF has called on technology professionals, researchers, students, business leaders, public officials, development practitioners and members of the public interested in the future of artificial intelligence to participate in the conference.

The organisers have also confirmed that the venue is the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Auditorium, Port Harcourt. Participants and members of the public are advised to take note of the venue and disregard references to the previously announced location.

Further information about the conference and participation is available at conference.paidef.org.ng.

Event details

Event: Second Artificial Intelligence for Development Conference GrowAI 2026
Theme: AI for Intergenerational Growth
Date: September 28–30, 2026
Venue: Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Auditorium, Port Harcourt
Website: conference.paidef.org.ng
Email: conference@paidef.org.ng