In an era where technology is redrawing the map of global competition, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, has called on Nigerian entrepreneurs to view Artificial Intelligence (AI) not as a futuristic luxury but as the new foundation for business survival and dominance.
Addressing business leaders at the 10th FATE Business Conference themed “AI-Powered Business: Innovate, Automate, Accelerate,” Hamzat said the nations and companies that master AI today will define the global economy for the next generation.
He emphasized that the world has entered an “AI-first” phase, where technology drives smarter production, sharper decision-making, and stronger customer engagement across industries. From precision agriculture and automated logistics to digital finance and creative entertainment, AI, he said, is no longer theoretical — it is the new infrastructure of progress.
“Artificial Intelligence doesn’t just improve what we do; it transforms how we think,” Hamzat explained. “It gives entrepreneurs the power to predict, design, and deliver better than ever before. Playing it safe in this new era is the most dangerous business strategy.”
The Deputy Governor underscored that the value of AI lies not only in automation but in its ability to amplify human creativity and strategic insight. He urged businesses to cultivate a culture of experimentation and innovation if they hope to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving market.
Reinforcing this message, the President of FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, reflected on the decade-long impact of the FATE Business Conference. What began as a community of ambitious entrepreneurs, she noted, has matured into a continental platform driving bold ideas, collaboration, and resilience.
FATE Alumni Executive Committee President, Oluwatoyin Bakare, added that the tenth edition marks a defining moment — one that challenges African businesses to transition from traditional operations to intelligent enterprises powered by innovation.
