Biography

Olubunmi Ajala currently serves as the National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in Nigeria and Technical Adviser on AI, Research, and Data to the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. As an accomplished Data Scientist and Economist, Ajala brings extensive expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Economic Policy to his leadership roles.

At NCAIR, under the Nigeria's National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Ajala oversees strategic initiatives focused on promoting research and development in emerging technologies. His academic credentials include a PhD and a fellowship in the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His professional experience spans banking, academic and governmental settings. Having previously served as Learning Analytics Lead at the School of Economics, Finance, and Accounting at Coventry University in the United Kingdom. His research areas include Digital Innovation, Education Economics, Health Economics, African Trade, and AI policy, amongst others.

Ajala has represented Nigeria in several high-profile capacities. He served as the Nigerian Delegate to the AI Safety Summit in Bletchley (UK), Seoul, Paris, and UNESCO AI Ethics discussions in Slovenia. Additionally, he has represented Nigeria on the International AI Safety Team, which worked on the "State of the Science Report," and participated in the Technological Innovation Group of the AU-EU Research and Innovation Advisory Group on "Mainstreaming Research and Innovation in Africa-European Cooperation."