Ajegunle, Lagos, Nigeria — March 5, 2026: Breaking historical barriers and bringing cutting-edge technology to the heart of one of Lagos’ most vibrant communities, the NEXT54 team successfully hosted the inaugural NEXT AI Conference on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Led by Visionaried Bukola Gbemi and Peter Oti, the event marked the first-ever artificial intelligence summit held in Ajegunle, signalling a new era of digital inclusion for Nigerian youth.
The conference convened an impressive assembly of 50 schools and 300 students and youths, all eager to immerse themselves in the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence.
Bridging the Skills Gap through Innovation
In a world increasingly defined by automation and data, the NEXT AI Conference served as a critical bridge between classroom learning and industry requirements. The event featured eight distinguished speakers with deep expertise in AI applications across various sectors, including Corporate Strategy, Educational Technology, Modern Governance, Cybersecurity, and AI Ethics and Safety.
The curriculum was designed to demystify AI, stripping away the jargon to present technology in a simple, practical, and actionable manner. Participants were not just spectators; they were active creators, working in teams to tackle real-life problems. Under the guidance of industry mentors, these young minds were pushed to embrace critical thinking, collaboration, and high-level innovation.
The Pitch Competition: Showcasing Tomorrow’s Solutions
The energy reached Pitch peak during the high-stakes Pitch Competition, where student teams presented original tech-driven projects to a panel of experts. This final showcase demonstrated the raw talent and problem-solving capabilities present within the Ajegunle community.
Recognition and “pitch prizes” were awarded to the top four performing schools, honouring their ingenuity and commitment to social impact through technology:
- First Position: (Deldiv School, Ajegunle)
- Second Position:(Caro School, Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun)
- Third Position: (Tosfadun School, Ajegunle, Ajeromi-Ifelodun)
- Fourth Position: (Chuzza School, Ajeromi-Ifelodun)
“We believe that brilliance is distributed evenly, even if opportunity is not,” said Bukola Gbemi, Convener of the NEXT AI Conference. “By bringing the NEXT AI Conference to Ajegunle, we are ensuring that these students aren’t just consumers of the future; they are the ones who will build it.”
Peter Oti, co-Founder of CodeLab and co-convener of the NEXT AI Conference, noted: “Seeing over 300 youths collaborate on real-world tech solutions proves that with the right mentorship and exposure, there are no limits to what the next generation of Nigerian talent can achieve.”
About NEXT54
NEXT54 is a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to youth empowerment and technological literacy. By hosting high-impact events and providing mentorship, NEXT54 aims to create a “future-ready” workforce capable of navigating and leading the global digital economy.
For more details, visit: https://justnext.ng or https://next-futurelab.web.app
