The Future of Finance Lecture Series
LECTURE 02 | THE AI ECONOMY
Who Pays,Who Profits,and Where Does Nigeria Fit?
Exploring AI investment, superintelligence, economic opportunity and the future of Nigeria in an AI-driven world.
- Date
- Thursday, 22 October 2026
- Time
- 6:00 PM WAT (UTC+1)
- Format
- Online lecture
- Cost
- Free, registration required
About the lecture
Understanding the Economy Behind Artificial Intelligence
AI is not only a technology story. It is a question of who invests, who owns the infrastructure, how productivity changes, which jobs are affected and who captures the value.
Lecture 02 brings an economist's view and a practitioner's view into the same conversation, with Nigeria as the place where the answers need to land.
Questions on the table
- Who finances the AI revolution?
- Who owns the infrastructure and captures the profits?
- How will AI change productivity and employment?
- What can Nigeria realistically capture?
- How can AI-driven growth expand opportunity without concentrating its benefits?
Four themes
The key questions
The money behind AI
Capital investment, computing infrastructure, electricity, data and talent.
The distribution of value
Productivity, commercial returns, ownership, jobs and economic inequality.
The feasibility of superintelligence
What current AI can do, what remains uncertain, and the technical and economic constraints that matter.
Nigeria's place in the AI economy
Local applications, enterprise opportunities, skills, infrastructure and the ability to create value in African markets.
These are themes for discussion. The speakers will explore them; they will not claim a definitive answer to each.
Convener's address
Dr. John A. Olayiwola
Senior Lecturer in Accounting, Obafemi Awolowo University
Talk title
The Economics of the AI Revolution: Who Pays, Who Profits, and Where Does Nigeria Fit?
Dr. Olayiwola sets the financial and economic frame for the evening: why AI investment matters, how economic value may be created and distributed, and why Nigeria's position in the AI economy deserves attention.
- Capital allocation and AI infrastructure
- Productivity and the economics of adoption
- Who captures value from AI
- AI, jobs and financial opportunity
- Nigeria's strategic position
Dr. Olayiwola is an accounting academic and Chartered Accountant whose research spans corporate governance, financial integrity, sustainability, financial innovation and emerging-market finance.
Invited speaker
Olufemi Adeyemo
Talk title
Billions and AI: Is It Really a Game Changer?
The Feasibility and Practicality of Superintelligence (SI), and What It Means for You.
An independent presentation on whether the scale of AI investment translates into real change, and what individuals and organisations in Nigeria can do with AI today.
- AI investment and infrastructure
- The case for and against AI as a game changer
- What superintelligence would require: computing, electricity, data and safety
- Practicality and affordability in the Nigerian context
- Applications in agriculture, healthcare, education and finance
- Building frontier models versus applying existing models to local problems
Where the talk draws on estimates or personal judgement, the speaker will say so.
Programme
How the evening runs
Welcome and introduction
Setting out the evening and the questions ahead.
Convener's address
Dr. John A. Olayiwola on the economics of the AI revolution.
Invited presentation
Olufemi Adeyemo on investment, feasibility and practicality.
Joint discussion and audience Q&A
Both speakers respond to the audience.
Closing remarks
Takeaways and what comes next in the series.
Session timings will be shared with registrants. Joining details are sent by email.
Joint discussion and audience Q&A
From AI Investment to African Opportunity
Both speakers connect the economics of AI with its technical limits. Add your own question when you register and it goes to the speakers.
- Can Nigeria benefit from AI without building frontier models?
- How should local businesses assess the cost and value of AI adoption?
- Will AI create broad opportunity or concentrate wealth?
- What opportunities exist for students, entrepreneurs and professionals?
- How can local-language AI and locally relevant applications create value?
- What should organisations consider before adopting AI?
Who should attend
This lecture is for you if you are…
A student or early-career professional
Deciding where to build skills as AI changes the work around you.
In finance or accounting
Weighing what AI investment and adoption mean for firms, clients and the profession.
A business leader or entrepreneur
Assessing the cost and value of AI for your organisation or venture.
An AI practitioner or enthusiast
Looking at the economics and limits behind the technology you work with.
A researcher or academic
Following open questions on AI, productivity and value distribution.
In policy or development
Considering how AI-driven growth can reach more people.
Why attend
What you will take away
- Understand the economics behind AI investment
- Explore the feasibility and practicality of superintelligence
- Consider what the AI economy means for Nigeria
- Hear complementary economic and technological perspectives
- Ask questions directly during the joint discussion
- Identify practical opportunities for learning, innovation and business
Audience poll
Tell us what you think before the lecture
Registration
Join the Conversation
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EventThe AI Economy: Who Pays, Who Profits, and Where Does Nigeria Fit?
WhenThursday, 22 October 2026, 6:00 PM WAT
EmailCheck your inbox for your confirmation. If it is not there in a few minutes, check your spam folder.
Add it to your calendar
Add or refine your question
Questions help shape the joint discussion.
The AI economy is taking shape. Where will Nigeria stand?
Join a conversation about AI investment, technological possibility and the opportunities and challenges facing Nigeria.
Reserve Your PlaceFrequently asked questions
Before you register
Is the webinar free?
Yes. Attendance is free.
When is the event?
Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 6:00 PM.
What time zone is used?
West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1), the same as Lagos. Your calendar invite adjusts to your local time automatically.
Is registration required?
Yes. Registration reserves your place and lets us send you the joining details.
How will I receive the joining link?
By email. We will include it in your reminder emails as soon as the organiser confirms it.
Will a recording be available?
Not confirmed yet. Tick the recording option when you register and we will send it if one becomes available.
Can I submit a question?
Yes. Add it to the registration form, or send it from the confirmation screen after you register.
What happens after I register?
You see a confirmation with your registration ID and receive a confirmation email. Reminders follow in the days before the lecture.
Can I receive updates about future lectures?
Yes. Tick the optional communications box on the registration form. It is never selected for you.