AI Awareness Day 2026: NAAIP To Advocate Harnessing Ethical AI For National Transformation, Inclusive Growth, And Economic Resilience

ABUJA, NIGERIA – February 13, 2026

The National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP) is pleased to announce that all is now set for the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Awareness Day, to be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This year’s event, themed “Harnessing Ethical Artificial Intelligence for National Transformation, Inclusive Growth, and Economic Resilience,” underscores the association’s commitment to leveraging responsible AI as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s developmental and economic stability.

The announcement was made at the NAAIP Secretariat, located at the African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) Building, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja. The celebration will feature a high-level Awareness Day and Press Briefing at 11:00 a.m. in the Mini Conference Hall of NOUN, bringing together AI experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to outline actionable pathways for deploying AI-driven solutions across national infrastructure, security, and energy management.
AI Awareness Day

Established as an annual landmark, AI Awareness Day was first inaugurated on February 17, 2025. It serves as a national platform to promote excellence, ethical standards, and innovation in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Following the success of the inaugural edition—which focused on the significance of AI in higher education—the 2026 observance shifts toward the practical application of AI to drive national transformation.
Key objectives for this year’s program include:
• National Transformation: Utilizing AI to strengthen national infrastructure and improve governance structures.
• Inclusive Growth: Empowering practitioners to act as architects of economic solutions, ensuring the benefits of AI reach all sectors of society.
• Economic Resilience: Highlighting strategies for enhancing security systems and advancing sustainable growth through data-driven AI implementation.
About NAAIP

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The National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP) is Nigeria’s premier professional body for AI practitioners. Founded on April 29, 2024, the association was birthed as the pinnacle of a 13-week rigorous training program that equipped nearly 1,000 participants from across Nigeria’s higher education landscape with specialized AI skills.

The association was envisioned and founded by Professor Emeritus Peter Akinsola Okebukola, OFR, a world-renowned academic and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC). A recipient of the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Communication of Science, Professor Okebukola established NAAIP as a testament to Nigeria’s leadership in educational development across Africa. His vision for the association is to move Nigeria from being a consumer of AI innovations to a creator of ethical and impactful technologies.

Today, NAAIP is led by a distinguished executive team, with Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede as President together with six vice-presidents representing the six geo-political zones of Nigeria and other national officers. The association operates from its headquarters in Abuja and is open to individuals and organizations committed to advancing the ethical development of AI.

A Culture of Continuous Engagement: The Bi-Monthly Symposium
Beyond the annual Awareness Day, NAAIP maintains a robust calendar of professional activities, most notably its Bi-Monthly Symposium series. These virtual symposia serve as a critical bridge between academic research and commercial viability.

The upcoming third edition of the symposium, themed “The Catalyst Effect: Driving Economic Prosperity and Sectoral Innovation through Applied AI in Nigeria,” is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026. These sessions focus on:
• Sectoral Innovation: Exploring practical AI applications in Agriculture (Precision Farming), Healthcare (Predictive Diagnostics), and the Creative Economy.
• SME Empowerment: Providing strategies for small and medium enterprises to integrate AI tools to boost global competitiveness.
• Policy Advocacy: Developing ethical frameworks and best practices to ensure AI systems prioritize safety, fairness, and transparency.

For more information on NAAIP’s initiatives, membership, and the upcoming AI Awareness Day, please visit the official website at www.na-ai-p.org.
Media Contact:
NAAIP Secretariat
ACETEL Building, NOUN, Jabi, Abuja
Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
Phone: 07077691786, 09058132712