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Industry leaders at WATISE 4.0 say artificial intelligence will drive data demand, network resilience and trust across Nigeria’s digital economy.
AI Emerges as Catalyst for Telecoms Transformation
Experts and industry stakeholders have projected that the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly improve service delivery across Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, mirroring gains already recorded in advanced economies.
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The consensus emerged at the fourth edition of the West Africa Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (WATISE 4.0 and Awards), themed “The Resilient AI Fabric: Trust, Integrity, and Sustainability in Next Generation Network Infrastructure”, organised by TechnologyMirror.
ALTON: AI Will Drive Explosive Demand for Connectivity
Delivering the keynote address, Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said AI adoption would dramatically increase demand for data and connectivity, making resilient infrastructure, cybersecurity and public trust essential to Nigeria’s digital future.
According to him, AI is already transforming education, healthcare, finance, commerce and governance, and discussions must extend beyond algorithms to the foundational digital infrastructure required to support an AI-driven society.
“As AI becomes embedded in daily life, data consumption will continue to grow exponentially. The more intelligence we deploy, the greater the demand for connectivity,” he said.
Beyond Connectivity: The Need for Ultra-Reliable Networks
Adebayo stressed that future digital economies would require more than basic internet access, calling for high-capacity fibre networks, low-latency transmission systems and infrastructure capable of supporting real-time digital services.
He noted that emerging use cases—such as remote healthcare, autonomous systems, smart cities and AI-powered enterprises—would place unprecedented demands on network reliability.
“In that environment, network reliability is no longer a convenience; it is a necessity,” he said.
ipNX: AI Is Transforming Network Management
In a second lead paper titled “Next-G Telecoms Infrastructure and Ethical AI in Network Management”, Ejovi Aror, Group Managing Director of ipNX Nigeria, highlighted how cloud services, fintech, digital commerce and AI-powered applications are driving rapid growth in data consumption and broadband demand.
Represented by Olusola Teniola, Director of Strategic Business Initiatives, Aror explained that AI now enables telecom operators to predict and prevent network failures, optimise traffic through dynamic load balancing, and resolve congestion before service disruptions occur.
He added that AI-driven customer service, intelligent fault resolution and real-time cyber threat detection are redefining operational efficiency across the telecoms value chain.
“The future belongs not to nations with the most technology, but to those that deploy technology responsibly, inclusively and in service of their people,” Aror said.
Fireside Chat: Call for Local AI Infrastructure and Models
During a fireside chat moderated by Oluwole Abegunde, stakeholders called for accelerated investment in local AI infrastructure, data centres and indigenous models to reduce dependence on foreign platforms.
Chidi Ajuzie, Chief Operating Officer at WTES Projects, said Nigeria’s ability to benefit from AI depends on investments in connectivity, digital literacy, local hosting and AI-ready infrastructure.
He warned that Nigeria remains largely a consumer within the global AI ecosystem and must invest in indigenous capacity, including hardware, cloud services and AI model development.
IXPN: Local Traffic Exchange Critical to AI Growth
On infrastructure localisation, Seun Olorunnisola of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) said keeping internet traffic within Nigeria would reduce latency, improve service quality and strengthen the foundation for AI applications.
“Localising content and AI services will significantly enhance user experience and make AI development more viable in Nigeria,” he said.
Accessibility, Affordability and Policy Support
Teniola further identified accessibility, availability and affordability as critical factors for AI adoption, urging African countries to develop confidence in building solutions tailored to local realities.
He emphasised that telecoms infrastructure remains the backbone of financial inclusion and the wider digital economy, calling on governments to protect infrastructure investments while encouraging innovation.
AI Already Transforming Financial Services
Also speaking, Stephen Adeoye, National Secretary of the Association of Financial Inclusion Agents of Nigeria (AFIAN), noted that AI is already enhancing fraud detection, lending decisions and customer verification across financial services.
Repositioning Telecoms for an AI-Driven Economy
In his welcome address, Isaiah Erhiawarien, convener of WATISE and Country Editor of TechnologyMirror, said telecom operators are increasingly deploying AI-RAN and GPU infrastructure, delivering better call quality and reduced spam for consumers.
He added that WATISE 4.0 was designed to reposition the industry around AI-powered service delivery that will shape the region’s digital economy.
Building the Foundation for the AI Economy
Stakeholders agreed that resilient infrastructure, local innovation and digital skills development will ultimately determine Nigeria’s competitiveness in the emerging AI-driven global economy.
