Warwick Business School to host major UK convening on Nigeria's National AI Trust

Warwick Business School will welcome distinguished alum ‘Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, to The Shard tomorrow as he leads a major UK convening on the future of AI governance in Nigeria.

Dr Tijani returns as a government minister, technology entrepreneur and leading voice in Africa’s digital economy after completing an MSc Information Systems and Management in 2007.

The two-day National AI Trust UK Convening at WBS London at The Shard will bring together senior Nigerian government representatives, international AI experts, business leaders, academics and public interest groups. The aim is to shape and develop the Trust: a high-level body designed to guide Nigeria’s next phase of AI adoption, investment and responsible innovation.

The convening will be led by Dr Tijani and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, alongside Co-creation Hub (CcHUB), one of Africa’s leading innovation and creative ecosystem organisations, acting as research and design lead.

“The National AI Trust represents an important step in Nigeria’s journey to build the institutions required to thrive in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to transform economies and societies, it is essential that we develop governance frameworks that are trusted, inclusive, and capable of balancing innovation with public interest,” said Dr Tijani, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy.

“This convening brings together government, academia, industry, and civil society because the most effective policy frameworks are shaped through collaboration, drawing on diverse expertise and perspectives. We are grateful for the support of Warwick Business School in providing a platform for these important conversations.

“By working together to design an AI Trust that is credible, independent, and future-ready, we are laying the foundation for responsible AI adoption that can accelerate innovation and unlock new opportunities across Nigeria’s digital economy."

Shaping the future of Nigeria's AI governance

Over the course of two days, participants will explore how the Trust should be structured, funded, governed and held accountable. Discussions will focus on the principles needed to create an institution that is credible, durable and capable of working across government, industry and society.

Dr Tijani will deliver a keynote address at the end of day one on AI, Institutions and National Competitiveness, examining how countries can build the institutional capacity needed to compete in the age of AI while ensuring that technological progress delivers broad public value.

Andy Lockett, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Dean of WBS, said: “This event highlights the global impact of our world-class faculty, and the part business schools can play in defining the role of AI as it rapidly spreads into every facet of our lives. 

“The new AI age will need guardrails and governance that balance innovation with ethical and moral considerations. It is with robust and rigorous academic research from business schools like WBS that this can be done. 

“This collaboration once again shows how WBS research is not just published in top academic journals but is contributing directly to business, policy and society.”

WBS academics will play an active role in the convening. Professor Joe Nandhakumar, Head of the Information Systems Management and Analytics Group, and Dr Hossam Zeitoun, Reader in Strategy and Behavioural Science, will contribute to discussions on comparative institutional design, independence, influence, durability and resilience under political pressure.

A model that can guide Africa

Dr Susanne Beck and Dr Kalina Staykova, both from the School’s Information Systems Management and Analytics Group, will bring expertise on innovation ecosystems, organisational change, collaboration, legitimacy and the practical conditions needed for responsible AI governance to translate into impact.

Angela Aneke, WBS Regional Chair for Africa and member of the Global Advisory Board of WBS, said: “This is a proud moment for Warwick Business School, Nigeria, and the WBS alumni community in Nigeria. 

“This convening on the future of AI Trust governance presents an opportunity to institutionalise this important agenda and develop a model that can be replicated across Africa.

“I am grateful to the Honourable Minister, ‘Bosun Tijani, a proud WBS alumnus, for giving back to his alma mater and championing this important initiative.”

A post-convening report will bring together the insights from both days and support the Trust’s progression towards its formal establishment.

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