Ibadan Data Economy and Emerging Data Scientists 2020 Report

A Publication of Infoprations Limited
18, Oguntolu Street, Somolu,
Lagos, Nigeria
infoprations@gmail.com
© 2020

Table of Contents
Foreword…………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Industry View…………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………………4
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Ibadan Data Economy and Technology Ecosystem………………………………………..5
How We See It……………………………………………………………………………………………8
Emerging Data Scientists……………………………………………………………………………14
Strategic Issues and Recommendations……………………………………………………….21

Foreword
During the Great Debate of the material
component of the universe, we learnt
many things about our world. That
conversation which took place
centuries ago was in a period of
immense knowledge generation and
accumulation, in which some of the
finest philosophers and thinkers like
Thales, Heraclitus and Pythagoras,
played major roles.
Thales had postulated that the world
was nothing but water, as according to
him, anything could be put in a liquid
state. For Heraclitus, the world was
purely made by fire as fire could burn
anything. For me, the most fascinating
component of that debate came from
Pythagoras, the man who gave us the
Pythagoras theorem on right angle
triangles.
Pythagoras postulated that the world is
made up of numbers, implying that
everything we do is nothing but
numbers. Largely, across markets and
industrial sectors, and in our personal
lives, every human and business
activity come down to numbers. It
could be click, analysis, video, sleep or
practically anything; behind all is
numbers.
With the realization that everything is
numbers, the pursuit of processing and
manipulating numbers became
cardinal if we desire to fix frictions
which exist in markets. Companies are
founded to fix frictions, and better
understanding of numbers has always
helped the missions of growing
ventures.
Because all frictions are numerical,
across human history, innovators have
worked to develop tools to help in
calculating and processing numbers.
So, from Abacus to slide rule, the world
has advanced through different
computational systems like the
Difference Engine, ENIAC, UNIVAC,
and the modern microprocessor. The
invention of the microprocessor was a
quintessential moment in human
history as it provided the capacity to
process numbers at scale.
Powered by the microprocessor,
mathematics, the beautiful science of
numbers, has transmuted, with
software helping in making a better
sense of the world. With cloud
computing, immersive connectivity,
and mobile devices, a 21st century
Cambrian moment emerged: the data
everywhere met cheap, ubiquitous, and
intelligent digital systems to process
them. Data science is evolving as a
result, enabling the combination and
recombination of systems, to engineer
intelligence on machines. The
implications would be huge as all
industries would be radically
transformed with changes in the
current global architecture of
commerce.
However, this data science redesign
may not be uniformly distributed
across cities and communities, as
Internet with its unbounded and
unconstrained distribution channel,
may enable some big technology
empires to dominate. That is the
challenge for Nigeria. We must prepare
and commit to become creators over
mere consumers of technology. In our
universities and companies, we already
know that data is the new oil. That
should not end it, as only nations with
the modern refineries of data systems
would have the capacities to refine data.
1

Our data efforts must not mimic the
petroleum sector where the
multinationals run the upstream
leaving the (less lucrative) downstream
for us.
This book - Ibadan Data Economy and
Emerging Data Scientists – examines
this global redesign within Ibadan (Oyo
State, Nigeria) by looking at the
fundamental redesign of the economy,
which is morphing into a Data
Economy. More so, the book looks at
how an amalgam of data scientists is
seeding that economic transformation.
The message is evident: data will play a
significant role in the advancement of
Ibadan, and deepening the capabilities
through productive knowledge base,
will be catalytic, not just for the city, but
for Nigeria and Africa in general.
Indeed, if Ibadan can make sense, and
refine the numbers of Nigeria, a new
aspirational trajectory would be
created, and that can unlock new
wealth vistas in the nation.
Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe
Lead Faculty, Tekedia Institute
Boston, USA
2

Industry View
Big Data, Data Science, Python
Programming, Data Analytics etc are
some of the buzz words amongst the
tech communities in Nigeria. This is not
surprising as Data is now accepted
globally as the new oil . Hence, the
growing importance of data economy
not only in the advanced climes but also
in Nigeria.
Lagos, the commercial heartbeat of
Africa's most populous nation, Nigeria,
has always caught up with the trends in
the global tech ecosystem. It is
therefore not surprising that majority
of the key players in the tech ecosystem
will naturally make Lagos their
preferred location.
However, things are changing as
Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo state in
South west Nigeria, has become
another beautiful bride for data
enthusiasts, learning outfits and
established Data Scientists within the
last two years.
AI Saturday, Tensor Flow Developer
Community, GDG Ibadan, For Loop
Ibadan, Machine Learning Group
Ibadan, Python Ibadan etc are some of
the meet ups operating in Ibadan with a
focus on building capacity and skills of
participants in the Ibadan data
economy. However, the coming of
Robotics and Artificial intelligence
Nigeria,RAIN in February 2020 with
the state of the art learning
environment change, not only the data
economy landscape in Ibadan but the
entire emerging techs ecosystem ;
drawing trainees from different parts of
the country seeking capacity
development and skills acquisition that
make them not only Industry ready but
also entrepreneurs in different aspects
of Data Science, AI, machine Learning,
Robotics & Automation and other areas
of emerging technology.
With this, Ibadan is definitely set to
become a leading emerging tech hub in
Nigeria and West Africa subregion in no
time. Through this publication,
Infoprations has done a wonderful and
insightful job of exhuming some of the
budding data scientists and learning
outfit that are making the Ibadan data
economy tick.It is hoped that with this
expose, more data enthusiast, students
and professionals will be encouraged to
kick start a rewarding career in Data
Science and become part of not only
Ibadan data economy but the global
data economy as data economy is not
limited by geography.
Nurudeen Adesokan
Partnership and Collaboration
Robotics and Artificial intelligence
Nigeria (RAIN)
Ibadan.
3

Executive Summary
As a Metropolitan, Ibadan has been
experiencing a number of changes
since 1999. The changes become more
pronounced in terms of technological
adoption when the then
administration of Senator Abiola
Ajimobi prioritised Information and
Communication Technologies. The
current administration of Engineer
Seyi Makinde is also uplifting the use of
varied technologies at government
ministries, departments and agencies.
However, in the last five years, the
private sector has been contributing
significantly to the growth of digital
and data economy within the city more
than the public sector. Artificial
intelligence, machine learning and
data science programmes are being
organised at a scale one could not
imagine in a city that has been
described as ‘civil servant’ city due to
its high presence of public workers
than private sector’s employees.
Indeed, Ibadan data economy has
evolved considering the presence of
institutes, polytechnics and
universities with the significant
interest in changing the face of ICTs
and its adoption in the last few years.
Though, data science, artificial
intelligence and machine learning are
the new buzz words in the city,
information has it that the foundation
of data economy in Ibadan was laid in
1963. In this report, we examine the
skills and knowledge acquisition of
emerging data scientists in the city
with a view to revealing how the
acquisition has impacted private
businesses and public establishments,
and project into the future of data
economy and science.
4

Introduction
There are many reports and historical records on how Ibadan was created. However,
what is common to all of them is that the city was a war camp for warriors coming from
Oyo, Ife and Ijebu. Information also has it that the city had a forest site and many
ranges of hills that offered strategic defence opportunities. The city has been known as
one of the most accommodating cities in the South West region and Nigeria in general.
This has resulted in having people from other ethnic groups in the country and
nationals of other countries. Modern democracy has afforded the city the opportunity
of being divided into 11 local government areas, making it a Metropolitan. These local
governments were created by the military administrations, but recognised by the
Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended).
As a Metropolitan1, Ibadan has been experiencing a number of changes since 1999.
The changes become more pronounced in terms of technological adoption when the
then administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi prioritised Information and
Communication Technologies. The current administration of Engineer Seyi Makinde
is also uplifting the use of varied technologies at government ministries, departments
and agencies. However, in the last five years, the private sector has been contributing
significantly to the growth of digital and data economy within the city more than the
public sector. Artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science programmes
are being organised at a scale one could not have imagined in a city that has been
described as ‘civil servant’ city due to its high presence of public workers than private
sector’s employees.
Ibadan Data Economy and Technology Ecosystem
Indeed, Ibadan data economy has evolved if one considers the presence of institutes,
polytechnics and universities with the significant interest in changing the face of ICTs
and its adoption in the last few years. Although, data science, artificial intelligence and
machine learning are the new buzz words in the city, information has it that the
foundation of data economy was laid in 1963 when IBM launched its technical talent
training, the IBM African Education Centre at University College (now University of
Ibadan). While dedicating the centre, Arthur K Watson, Chairman of the Board of IBM
1 Ibadanland Development Association (2020) “11 Local Governments in Ibadanland”
Available on http://ibadanlanda.org/Local_Government.html (Accessed on: February, 17 2020)
5

World Trade Corporation said the purpose of the initiative was “to provide a source of
education for the potential leaders of industry and governments in Africa.”2The centre
was renamed UI Computing Centre in 1966. Between 1966 and 1971, the Centre
trained students before many Nigerian universities such as the University of Lagos,
Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Ibadan started computer science
courses. University of Ibadan and others in Ibadan have recently supported trainings,
seminars and conferences on data science, the use of artificial intelligence and
machine learning.3
In all the partnerships, the University of Ibadan through the Department of Computer
Science has significantly been the vanguard of skills and knowledge sharing in the
areas of data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning using AISaturdays
platform.4In January 2020, RAIN (Robotics and Artificial Intelligence) Limited joined
the players, providing skills and knowledge for University students and corporate
learners. “This firm is set to change the AI and robotics science landscape not only in
Nigeria but also in the sub-Saharan Africa. Students and corporate learners are not
only studying Data Science and Python programming at the intermediate level, but
also AI and Robotics at the advanced level with technical partnership with Manchester
University and AI Google laboratory in Accra.”5
One of the significant outcomes from the co-value creation and sharing among the
players is the winning of varied awards during local and international competitions.6
In this regard, students from the University of Ibadan have won a number of awards
having found their ideas and products worthy of solving varied socioeconomic
problems in the city. In 2019, they developed Kidnap Alert, Mechanism, Smart Pump,
2Odunowo, O., (2020) Deep Dive: Nigeria’s Technical Talent Landscape from 1963 to 2018 14th July 2020
https://techcabal.com/2020/07/14/deep-dive-nigerias-technical-talent-landscape-from-1963-to-2018/
3Aithority (2019) “IBM Expands Its Quantum Computing Program to Africa with Wits University” Available on
https://www.aithority.com/computing/ibm-expands-its-quantum-computing-program-to-africa-with-wits-university/
(Accessed on: February, 18 2020); PM News (2019) “IT Experts Advise Schools to Adopt Artificial Intelligence” Available
on https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/08/15/it-experts-advise-schools-to-adopt-artificial-intelligence/ (Accessed on:
February, 18 2020); ITweb (2020) “Zindi invites applications for Africa’s biggest university hackathon”
Available on https://www.itweb.co.za/content/KzQenvj8jLaMZd2r (Accessed on: February, 18 2020)
4Infoprations (2019) “2020: Ibadan, Lagos, Other Cities to Witness Rapid Advances in
Data Economy” Available on https://infoprations.blogspot.com/2019/12/2020-ibadan-lagos-other-cities-to.html (Accessed on:
February, 18 2020); Omorogbe, P., (2020) “How Nigeria Can Earn Forex from Robotics, AI ― Expert” The
Nigerian Tribune https://tribuneonlineng.com/how-nigeria-can-earn-forex-from-robotics-ai-%E2%80%95-expert/ (Accessed
on: February, 18 2020)
5 Infoprations (2019) “2020: Ibadan, Lagos, Other Cities to Witness Rapid Advances in
Data Economy” Available on https://infoprations.blogspot.com/2019/12/2020-ibadan-lagos-other-cities-to.html (Accessed on:
February, 18 2020)
6 The Nation (2019) “UI students win creative contest” The Nation, August 8, 2019
https://thenationonlineng.net/ui-students-win-robotics-contest/ (Accessed on: February, 17 2020);The Punch (2020) Team
Nigeria Wins First Place Position in the 2020 Huawei Global ICT
Competition https://punchng.com/team-nigeria-wins-first-place-position-in-the-2020-huawei-global-ict-competition/
(Accessed on: November 16, 2020)
6

Waste Pollution Monitor among others.7In our experience, we discovered that some of
the trained students and corporate learners are already contributing to the growth and
development of private businesses and public establishments in the city. For example,
CropsCash, an agri-tech startup company, is connecting farmers and their crops to the
end purchasers through artificial intelligence-based software.
With the activities of players and artificial intelligence ecosystem, the city is no longer
relying on Lagos’ data scientists before issues are solved and needs are catered for in
the public and private sectors. This is one of the key reasons we conducted a survey in
2019 to ascertain the level of skills and knowledge that have been acquired and still
being sought after by students, especially those in universities and other higher
institutions. AISaturdays, Ibadan Artificial Intelligence Meetup Group constituted our
research setting. AI Saturdays (affectionately known as AI6) is a community-driven,
non-profit and global movement across the globe to make Artificial Intelligence
education at the quality and rigour of the world’s best universities accessible to anyone
for free. AI6 is a free-to-attend, structured study groups going through materials used
in universities like Stanford, Berkeley and UCL, covering cutting-edge techniques in
AI and deep learning. In 2019, the Group8 had 76 members out of which 51 participated
in the study.
7 Akinselure, W., (2019) UI Students Develop Kidnap Alert Mechanism, Smart Pump,
Waste Pollution Monitor, Others Available on https://tribuneonlineng.com/ui-students-develop-kidnap-alert-mechanism-
smart-pump-waste-pollution-monitor-others/ (Accessed on: February, 18 2020); The Nation (2019) “UI students win creative
contest” The Nation, August 8, 2019
https://thenationonlineng.net/ui-students-win-robotics-contest/ (Accessed on: February, 17 2020)
8 AISaturdays (2019) Ibadan Artificial Intelligence Meetup Group Available on
https://www.meetup.com/Ibadan-Artificial-Intelligence-Meetup-Group/ (Accessed on: February 18, 2020)
7

Results
How We See It
Exhibit 1: Data science and engineering are growing fast and broadening
in scope
Source: Ibadan Data Economy and Emerging Data Scientists Survey, 2019; Infoprations Analysis,
2020
Exhibit 2: Data science is increasingly pervading modern business and
public affairs
2020
8

Exhibit 3: Professional-level courses should be flexible and responsive
2020
Exhibit 4: Data science training may need to be industry-approved and
accredited
2020
9

Exhibit 5: Coordination is needed between industries and universities
2020
Exhibit 6: What Data Scientists Have Gained from Ibadan AISaturdays
2020
Note: Respondents were asked to choose more than one benefits
10

Exhibit 7: Sectors Data Scientists Have Worked
2020
The Future of Artificial
Intelligence in Ibadan
We found that 98% of the emerging
data scientists believe that the city
remains one of the cities in the South-
West region that would continue to
witness massive development in
learning and use of data to solve
numerous socioeconomic and political
problems. Out of this percent, 56.9%
held strong conviction that data science
is pervading business and public affairs
in the city; 51% held strong conviction
that professional level course should be
flexible and responsive, while 45.1%
held strong conviction that data science
academic courses/training may need to
be industry-approved and accredited.
The female emerging data scientists
align more with the statement that ‘data
science and engineering are growing
fast and broadening in scope’ than their
male counterparts. The female
emerging data scientists also align
more with the statement that ‘data
science pervades business and public
affairs, and coordination is needed
between industries and universities’.
The male emerging data scientists
attuned more to the statements that
‘professional courses should be flexible
and responsive, and data science
training may need to be industry
approved and accredited’ than their
female counterparts.
Our analysis also reveals that 76.5%
agreed that coordination is needed
between universities and industries.
The sampled data scientists have
worked in various sectors within and
outside the city. Over 39% have worked
11

in education sector, 13.7% in banking
sector, 11.8% in agriculture sector, 7.8%
in health sector, 5.9% each in
insurance, and oil and gas sectors
respectively. Over 25% have gained
foundational and advanced knowledge
and skills, accessed a wide range of data
on socioeconomic and political issues in
the state and Nigeria. They have equally
participated in local and international
data science competitions. More than
23% have acquired foundational
knowledge and skills, while 9.8% have
had foundational knowledge and skills
including advanced professional skills.
For their skills and knowledge to have
significant and sustainable
contributions to businesses and public
establishments, it emerged that a
strong synergy should exist between
industries and universities located in
the city. While doing this, professional
courses should be flexible and
responsive, and training may need to be
industry-approved and accredited. The
expected strategic alliances and
partnerships should have programmes
and initiatives that target programmers
and non-programmers. Our data
indicate that 36 of the 52 emerging data
scientists are programmers, while 16
are non-programmers who have
worked and are still working in
different sectors [see Exhibit 9].
Exhibit 8: AI has future in Ibadan
12

2020
Exhibit 9: Sector and Role Classification
2020
13

Ade-Onojobi Oluwadewalade Adebiyi
Ibadan has been known as a civil
servant city for years. With the
recent developments, can you say
the narrative has changed?
Ibadan is widely known by many people
to be the civil servant city of Oyo State.
However, in recent years, it has become
a haven for tech minds and enthusiasts
to come together, share ideas, work on
projects with one another and create
products beneficial to the country and
the world. Tech groups like GDG
Ibadan, For Loop Ibadan, Machine
learning group Ibadan, Python Ibadan
and many other tech communities are
holding meetups regularly. This gives
tech enthusiasts, software engineers,
data scientists, web developers and
computer students who reside in
Ibadan a meeting ground and a means
to connect with one another. I can
boldly say that Ibadan is gradually
becoming a centre for technology and
innovation in Nigeria.
Apart from other cities and towns
that have institutions producing
graduates in ICTs-related courses
and Computer Science, Ibadan
has a significant number of
schools. How would you describe
the contribution of the schools to
data science ecosystem
development in the city?
As of now, I'm not aware of any
universities offering data science as a
degree course, but they offer computer
science which is a broad course when it
comes to ICTs. Courses like data
science, Cyber Security and Artificial
Intelligence are not offered even at the
postgraduate level. I believe this needs
to change as it greatly affects the
amount of tech experts Ibadan can
produce. Many individuals come to the
higher institutions to learn skills that
should help them survive in the real
world, but are often disappointed that
what they learn is either inadequate or
not what they expected at all. However,
there are some organisations where
data science can be learnt like AI
Saturdays Ibadan and a few other
organisations that offer these for a
reasonable price. The data science
ecosystem is steadily growing as these
institutions are producing more data
scientists and increasing awareness of
the people towards data science.
15

Has the ecosystem developed to a
stage that businesses and
individuals do not need to be in
Lagos before getting data
analytics and visualization
solutions?
Ibadan has some startups in tech and a
few data science experts, but businesses
still go to Lagos for data analytics
solutions. This is largely due to the fact
that Ibadan does not have many data
science experts who can provide these
solutions. However, the ecosystem is
growing and the tech communities in
Ibadan are working hard to ensure that
these solutions can be found right here
in Ibadan soon.
What has been the support from
the government, Oyo and
individuals so far?
So far, there has been support from
Data Science Nigeria with their AI
invasion program earlier in April this
year where they introduced Ibadan
citizens to data science basics and
practices in a 1-week boot camp. There
was a lot of positive feedback from the
attendees. There has been support from
other individuals as well who host
hackathons around the city. A lot of
organizations also reach out to
secondary and primary schools in
Ibadan to educate the students about
the importance of data science to the
community and encourage them to be a
part of it. I urge the government,
individuals and organisations to
support the growth of this city into a
centre of technology in this country.
How soon will Ibadan export data
scientists to other cities in the
South West region?
Ibadan has a few places teaching data
science like AI Saturdays Ibadan which
gives this knowledge out for free to
anyone who wants to learn and has a
passion for it. A few organisations teach
it as well for a reasonable price around
Ibadan alongside a lot of other
certifications they offer. With the
citizens of Ibadan being made more
aware of data science and its
possibilities and benefits, Ibadan will
produce more data scientists soon and I
believe Ibadan will start exporting data
scientists in the near future.
16

Owojori Ernest Tolulope
Apart from other cities and towns
that have institutions producing
graduates in ICT-related courses
and computer science, Ibadan has
a significant number of schools.
How would you describe the
contribution of the schools to data
science ecosystem development
in the city?
To answer the impact of higher
institutions in Ibadan on ICT-related
courses, I'd like to share my little
experience. About 3 years ago, I got
admitted to study Statistics at the
Federal College of Animal Health and
Production Technology, Apata, Ibadan.
There, I got interested in Statistics and
especially the use of computer software
to analyse data in which I got motivated
to learn beyond our curriculum. This
knowledge of statistical computing
really gave me an edge in the statistical
world. I could write R code; I could use
STATA, SPSS, MINITAB and beyond
just because my little college
introduced me to some of the
possibilities in the packages.
Afterwards, I got opportunity to attend
AI+ Invasion by Data Science Nigeria in
Ibadan in partnership with the
University of Ibadan around April this
year. This remarkable event got me
started with my long-awaited career of
being a Data Scientist. Also, as a follow-
up of the events of DSN in Ibadan, I
joined AI Saturdays Ibadan (weekly AI
classes holding in UI’s Computer
Science Department) to take my
learning to the next step.
The summary of my story is that
FCAH&PT and UI have indirectly
created an enabling environment for
me to meet with great people that
inspire, although there are several
series of self-thoughts, but without the
inspirations, I might not have been
where I am today. As we all know, there
is more our institutions in Ibadan can
do: we have talents here that need to be
inspired!
What are the problems you have
solved using the skills and
knowledge of data science?
It is very vital for me to enumerate what
I have been able to acquire with these
skills. I could remember our mentor at
AI Saturdays talking to us on how our
presence on Twitter as Data Scientists
(or Techie in general) is vital. These
words of his made me revive my
abandoned Twitter handle and
seriously, it paid off in a short while.
17

Initially, I was making use of a less
functional laptop (No backup) for my
learning, which discouraged me most of
the time. On that faithful day on
Twitter, I came across an opportunity
for developers that do not have a laptop
for them to get one and not only that,
get courses and mentorship in their
respective track. I did apply and
fortunately, I got selected out of about
5,000 applicants (22 selected). Another
journey of growth began and I tell you
it was a life-changing experience.
DevCareer popularly known as
#Laptop4Developers on Twitter gave
me the right direction of a techie. At
DevCareer, I got quality mentorship
and opportunity to build some amazing
projects.
At DevCareer, I was able to build a
Machine Learning Algorithm that
predicts Fraud using Xente Fraud
Detection data on Zindi, Africa. I did
Exploratory Data Analysis of
Supermarket Sales Data available on
kaggle.com. I also built Staff Promotion
Algorithm as released on kaggle.com
Data Science qualification challenge in
which I got selected and attended the
life-changing bootcamp. I also cannot
forget that I performed a Loan
Prediction too. Lastly, I was able to
secure the 29th position out of 213
participants of the Insurance
Prediction Hackathon (24 hrs.) hosted
by Data Science Nigeria at AI Bootcamp
2019.
Has the ecosystem developed to a
stage that businesses and
individuals do not need to be in
Lagos before getting data
analytics and visualization
solutions?
The truth of the matter is that Ibadan
guys have what it takes to offer
solutions to problems. All we need is a
playing ground for us to display what
we can do. Unavailability of such
avenue has been making our talents
migrate to other cities. In the aspect of
data analytics and visualization, we are
proficient. This has been proven on
several occasions when we are
summoned for competitions.
Remember, "Ibadan people no dey
carry last".
What has been the support from
the government, Oyo and
individuals so far?
For now, the government has not been
involved. We hope they do so soon as
their intervention will greatly improve
our ecosystem here in Ibadan.
How soon will Ibadan export Data
Scientists to other cities in the
South West region?
How soon will Ibadan export Data
Scientist? It has started and the pace is
increasing. Very soon, we'd be
everywhere.
18

Olumide
How would you describe your
experience so far?
My experience has been an amazing
one. Being a member of AI Saturdays
Ibadan, I made a big jump in my
interest in data science when I co-
hosted Data Science Nigeria's AI+ Boot
camp in the city of Ibadan. Through our
concerted efforts, we were able to
enlighten over three hundred youths in
Ibadan on the skills of the future
(through new media) and introduce
more than one hundred youths to the
basics of data science and machine
learning programming. As a stepdown,
we're taking this knowledge to the
younger generation and introducing
them to these competencies even at
their young age. By 2020, it's our vision
to have trained a total of 1,000
teenagers in python for data science
and machine learning programming.
What have been the significant
skills and knowledge you have
gained that you intend to use to
unlock inherent opportunities in
the data economy?
Basically, behind all data analysis is the
need to solve a problem. I've been
exposed to the effectiveness of data
analysis in solving everyday problems. I
want to apply this knowledge to help
FCMGs make better consumer and
marketing decisions.
Does AI have any future in
Ibadan?
Yes, it does. I can boldly say Ibadan has
one of the budding economies in
Nigeria currently. There has been an
increase in influx of knowledge,
investment and innovation in Ibadan
compared to the past and it can only get
better. Ibadan is one of the largest and
most populous cities in Nigeria. There
are truckloads of data being created,
transferred and processed daily and
wherever data is, Artificial Intelligence
thrives. By building appropriate
frameworks, we can convert these piles
of data into meaningful information
that can help fast-track development
and innovation in the state. I look
forward to the synergistic partnership
of AI Saturdays with different
innovation hubs and government's
ministries and agencies within the
state. I believe the goldmine we're
sitting on can and should be shared to
19

various networks in order to achieve
Data Science Nigeria's vision of 1
million AI talents in 10 years. It's
possible. 100,000 can emerge from this
city.
Abdul-Azeez Isah
How would you describe your
experience so far?
It started like every other training,
where you would simply send in your
application, and for some time, wait
until you are contacted. I did just that
and with the conviction that the
knowledge to be offered would be part
of what I require. So, on the first day (of
class), I was introduced to the concept,
application(s) and future of data. That
data was the next big thing. How it
exists and subsequently its analyses. So
far, I have acquired a basic mastery of
data (even though I am still relatively
fresh to data science). I have enjoyed
every bit of what I have learnt and it has
been worth it.
What have been the significant
skills and knowledge you have
gained that you intend to use to
unlock inherent opportunities in
the data economy?
With a basic mastery of data, I have
only been able, to an extent, identify
(some) patterns in a given set, and
perform other basic analyses. But it
doesn't end there; I also hope to work
with big data and explore deep learning
so that I can work on more practical
problems (in different ways that
directly affect human lives). I have also
developed a sixth sense for data. That
is, I can identify data in as many forms
as it appears.
Does AI have any future in
Ibadan?
With the little I know, I would say yes.
This is because AISaturdays, the cohort
I attend, has created an atmosphere (at
least for me) where the reality of
Artificial Intelligence is within the
reach (for a diligent student with a
laptop). The future is simple. As much
as more people explore this
atmosphere, there will be a need for
expansion to accommodate an
increasing number. This growth, which
is steady, is what lightens hope of a
future of AI in Ibadan.
20

Strategic Issues and
Recommendations
From our analysis, it is clear that more
data scientists are needed in the city.
This is hinged on the fact that few of the
scientists we surveyed have worked in
sectors such as real estate and
construction, health, transportation,
among others that are critical to the
city’s growth and development in the
next few years. Advancing skills and
knowledge of data science, artificial
intelligence and machine learning
requires more strategic alliances and
partnerships among the public and
private sectors. Private businesses who
are in the supply side of the data
economy need to improve on their
ability and capability of delivering value
to users of their products and services.
This will go a long way in making those
in the demand side have more interest
in embracing varied solutions data
science, artificial intelligence and
machine learning have in stock.
21

About Infoprations
Infoprations exists to help businesses navigate the innovation stage towards the first
mover advantage and become a key player by leveraging research, data, insights,
knowledge and profiting from huge data. Infoprations also helps people and
governments to understand their domain through data-driven information.
22

Ibadan Data Economy and Emerging Data Scientists 2020 Report

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