Conversations around artificial intelligence in Nigerian boardrooms and enterprise organisations felt like a scintillating scene from a movie or a captivating section of a sci-fi thriller bestseller. The interesting fact is that the narrative is shifting from awe to an “all-in” hunt for experienced leaders in AI.
At the dawn of generative AI, roles like Chief AI Officer, AI Governance lead or AI Ethicist were not in the business lexicon of Abuja, Calabar, Bauchi or Delta State. What we knew were titles like Head of IT, IT Director, Head of Digital, and maybe Head of Data. Those roles are still there, for now. However, the reality that is catching up fast with organisations and executives, especially, is that AI is not a subject for the IT department, as the reality is moving closer that executives have to be immersed in the evolving, exciting and intriguing world of AI.
Globally, the C-suite is expanding to accommodate this evolving reality. Global giants like JP Morgan have gone beyond awe to appointing AI ethicists, a role that sounds academic but is becoming commercially critical for corporate reputation and brand management. In Nigeria, I have first-hand experience of organisations like Sterling Bank, Interswitch and UBA all having Chief AI officers. What I am also aware of is that a lot of Nigerian executives are seriously evolving in this realm.
At the InnovateAI, Lagos, 2026 conference, focused on Responsible AI, Beyond Innovation, the chairman of Nigeria Exchange Group, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, spoke vivaciously. He said, “Trust is the oxygen of the system”, referring to the capital markets in Nigeria. I will go further to say that executives’ involvement in AI will grow the trust in AI as a partner in strategic business growth in Nigeria.
Bottom line
The world is now looking for “purple” leaders. Leaders from technology who understand business and leaders from business who understand technology. There are emerging opportunities right where you are leading. The window of “early adoption” is closing, and the era of “strategic integration” is here. If you are waiting for a formal invitation to lead in the AI space, consider the vacancies already appearing in the market as your summons. You do not need a degree in computer science to lead an AI transformation; you need the courage to experiment, the humility to learn and the wisdom to keep the “human in the loop”.
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Dotun Adeoye is a technology entrepreneur, AI governance leader, and co-founder of AI in Nigeria. He has over 30 years of global experience across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa and advises organisations on AI transformation.
