Inside my first AI Conference experience in Nigeria

Last September, I represented my tech community at the GITEX AI Lagos Summit. It was my first ever AI conference, and I still find myself thinking about how much it shifted something in me.

I walked in not knowing exactly what to expect. By the time the two days got over, I knew I had experienced something that felt bigger than just attending a tech con.

It was an eye-opener in the real sense of the word.

DAY-ONE

When I got to the venue, the energy hit me immediately. There were stands and exhibition spaces everywhere, with different Nigerian and global startups showcasing what they were building in the tech space. I spent time walking around, looking at the products, listening to the conversations, and just taking it all in.

There were speakers on stage talking about how startups can actually grow not the usual high-level talk, but practical things. Later, the conversations moved into policy: how government decisions affect the tech industry, the challenges startups face because of regulation, and what needs to change for the ecosystem to move forward.

Hearing different professionals share their opinions on these issues made me see the bigger picture beyond just coding or building products.

One of the things that stood out was — the Panel. Moderators asked real questions, and the panelists answered from their own experiences.

It didn’t feel scripted.

You could tell they had been through the things they were talking about. They were all Naijas dealing with issues in their country and doing their best to find answers locally.

DAY-TWO

The programme continued with some amazing startup pitches. Listening to them pitch their products was one of the highlights for me. You could see the passion, the ideas, and the problems they were trying to solve. It made me appreciate just how much is happening in the tech space right now.

There was something fulfilling about being in the middle of all that activity, learning, and connecting… And the best part of it all was that this was happening in our own Nigeria.

Beyond anything else, the connections mattered a lot to me.

I met other community members, and it felt good to be around people who are on the same journey. I met a techie who works as a data analyst, much like me. We talked about how we’ve been navigating the tech space, the ups and downs, and where we hope to go.

Those kinds of conversations stay with you long after the event ends.

What Stayed With Me

These two days did more than just fill my notes. They opened my eyes to the real movement happening in African tech — the passionate builders, the conversations around policy, the importance of community, and the energy that comes from being in the same room with others who care about the same things.

Meeting fellow ambassadors and connecting with peers from data analytics reminded me that this journey is not one you have to walk alone. And sitting through the sessions and pitches made the industry feel less distant and more reachable right here in my city.

I am truly grateful to the Wecncode community for sponsoring this experience. Without that support, I would not have been in that room. It was my first AI event in my hometown, and one I will not forget in a hurry.

I’m walking away more inspired, more aware, and more motivated to keep growing along in the new African Tech Landscape.

And if I could, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat...