Adeshina of Nile University of Nigeria

Session Description

Prof. Steve Adeshina delivers an insightful exploration of how artificial intelligence and semiconductors form the strategic core of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He frames Industry 4.0 as a convergence of AI, robotics, IoT, cloud systems, and big data where the boundaries between the physical, digital, and biological worlds are rapidly dissolving. At the heart of this transformation is the powerful synergy between AI and semiconductor technology: AI provides the “mind,” while chips serve as the computational “brain.”
Prof. Adeshina explains this accelerating feedback loop where more advanced semiconductors enable faster AI, which in turn drives the design of smarter chips highlighting why nations that control these technologies dominate innovation. He contrasts global leadership in AI chips with Africa’s current position, noting the continent’s emerging players such as Amal Technologies, Zenvus, and Amini AI. With tech funding surpassing $3 billion in 2024 and internet penetration rising, Africa stands at a critical inflection point.
He emphasizes that Africa must shift from being a spectator to becoming a creator of the technologies that will define the next century. Continued reliance on imported hardware and limited R&D threatens longterm digital sovereignty. Yet Africa’s youthful population, growing startup ecosystem, and engineering talent present an unprecedented opportunity to build local capabilities in chip design, testing, and AI systems tailored to regional challenges including precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and satellitelinked data solutions. A key focus of the presentation is the role of universities as the engine room of Africa’s technological future. Prof. Adeshina calls for curriculum reforms that embed AI, VLSI design, robotics, and materials engineering into STEM pathways, supported by handson labs, hackathons, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He encourages students to leverage free AI learning platforms and to pursue practical projects that align AI with hardware innovation. The talk ends with a clear message: while Africa faces barriers in infrastructure, fabrication facilities, and specialized talent, these challenges can be overcome by investing in R&D ecosystems, strengthening university industry partnerships, and fostering regional cooperation. Prof. Adeshina concludes with an inspiring reminder that “The future is not predicted   it is engineered,” reinforcing Africa’s potential to become a global contributor in AI and semiconductor innovation.

Biography:

Prof. Steve A. Adeshina is a Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Nile University of Nigeria, and serves as the General Manager of Nile Consult & Services Limited (a university consulting subsidiary). 

Education & Career

• He earned his B.Eng in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

• He obtained his Ph.D. in Computer Vision & Engineering from the University of Manchester, UK in 2010.

• He joined Nile University in 2011 and has held senior academic and administrative roles including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) from 2014-2020.

Research & Expertise

• His research focuses on applying computer vision, deep learning and image analysis to medical and biological imaging, as well as e-voting/e-governance systems. 

• He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and is a member of organisations such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS). 

Current Role & Impact

• At Nile University, Prof. Adeshina contributes to advancing the faculty’s research capacity, mentoring students, and bridging academia and industry through consulting and applied services. 

Email:

Address:Plot 681, Cadastral Zone C, OO, Research & Institution Area, Airport Road, Jabi, Abuja 900108, Federal Capital Territory, , Abuja, Nigeria, 900108

Onisodumeya

Session Description 

In this session, Hamilton explores the evolution of semiconductor design in Africa, showcasing real world applications from his work at ChipMango, where he leads engineering for wearable bioelectronic systems used in cardiological and infectious disease monitoring. He highlights how advanced chip design from low power architectures to FPGA based prototyping enables new possibilities in health technology, safety devices, and environmental monitoring.Hamilton also examines the critical role of semiconductor education. He shares insights into developing gamified learning platforms, securing industry training partnerships with Cadence and ARM, and building accessible pathways for young engineers to enter the semiconductor workforce.

Biography:

Engr. Onisodumeya Hamilton is a Microelectronics and IoT Engineer currently contributing to hardware learning and semiconductor innovation efforts at ChipMango, Abuja. His work focuses on embedded systems, chip design awareness, and developing pathways for practical, locally driven hardware development in Africa. He has served in technical leadership and community roles, including as a regional ambassador for the #BuildWithAI initiative, where he supported training and mentorship for young developers. Engr. Hamilton is passionate about advancing Africa’s capacity in semiconductor design, hardware manufacturing, and IoT solutions tailored to real-world challenges.

Address:Plot 681, Cadastral Zone C, OO, Research & Institution Area, Airport Road, Jabi, Abuja 900108, Federal Capital Territory, , Abuja, Nigeria, 900108

Shehu

Session Description

In this transformative session, Engr. Shehu Tijani Abdullahi presents a bold and practical roadmap for shifting Africa from a consumer of global technology to a creator in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Drawing from his leadership as MD/CEO of Amal Technologies, he outlines how the continent can secure true digital sovereignty by building its own semiconductor and AI manufacturing ecosystem. Engr. Abdullahi highlights Africa’s current vulnerability its reliance on imported hardware and semiconductor components and contrasts this with the continent’s vast engineering talent and untapped potential. He emphasizes that bridging the infrastructure and investment gaps requires not only resources but the courage to build locally. The session introduces Amal Technologies’ fullstack semiconductor model, composed of three integrated entities: Silifab for silicon wafer production, ASMC for chip design and secure card manufacturing, and Amal Technologies Ltd for R&D, IoT systems, and smart device development. Through this ecosystem, the company has established what it identifies as the first private semiconductor value chain in SubSaharan Africa. Engr. Abdullahi showcases successful local manufacturing efforts including smart meters, IoT devices, secure identity systems and demonstrates their applications across key sectors such as healthcare, energy, agriculture, fintech, and defense. He also highlights strategic partnerships, including collaborations with NXP, that strengthen research, development, and training pipelines. Looking ahead to Vision 2030, he outlines a clear four step roadmap: expanding R&D capacity, scaling local chip and wafer production, integrating AI hardware tailored to Africa’s needs, and fostering regional collaboration to build a unified African semiconductor hub. This session challenges policymakers, engineers, and innovators to rethink Africa’s technological destiny and offers a concrete path toward industrial independence, economic resilience, and global competitiveness.

Biography:

Engr. Shehu Tijjani Abdullahi is a Nigerian technologist, innovator and entrepreneur specializing in hardware development and consumer electronics manufacturing. He is the Founder & CEO of Amal Technologies Ltd., a hardware-development company focused on designing and producing electronic devices locally in Nigeria and across Africa.

Born in June 1987 in Kwara State, Nigeria, Shehu completed his early education in Ilorin and Kaduna, then earned an Advanced Diploma in Software Engineering from Aptech (Lagos), and a First Class degree in Information Technology & Business Information Systems from Middlesex University in 2013. He subsequently expanded his skills through training in software engineering, hardware design and electronics in Nigeria and Egypt.

With a strong background in both software and hardware engineering, Shehu leads Amal Technologies in pushing the frontiers of local electronics manufacturing, prototyping and embedded systems. His vision is to advance a self-reliant hardware ecosystem in Africa, reduce dependency on imports and build home-grown innovation capacity.

Address:Abuja, Nigeria

Akinwade of University of Texas

Session Description

In this presentation, Akinwande traced the evolution of computing power from 1975 to 2025, highlighting the exponential growth of AI hardware needs that outpace Moore’s Law. He emphasized the industry’s shift toward neuromorphic computing, leveraging memristors devices that mimic synaptic behavior with zero static power and potentially attjoule level switching energy. Akinwande presented advancements in ultrathin materials such as monolayer MoS₂ atomristors, discussing their suitability for high density synaptic arrays used in vector matrix multiplication for AI workloads. The talk also examined the semiconductor workforce crisis, citing the U.S. CHIPS Act, over $300 billion in private investment, and the ongoing talent gap projected to reach 165,000 workers by 2030. He concluded by proposing a Government Industry Academia partnership model and recommending educational reforms to train future talent in semiconductor manufacturing, devices, integrated circuits, AI systems, and entrepreneurship.

Biography:

Prof. Deji Akinwande is the Cockrell Family Regents Chair in Engineering #8 in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at University of Texas at Austin. 
His research focuses on two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene and silicene, and on flexible, wearable nanoelectronic devices. 

Dr. Akinwande obtained his PhD at Stanford University in 2009, where he studied carbon-based materials and device physics.
Among his honours are the U.S. Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2016, and he is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Physical Society (APS), and the African Academy of Sciences (AAS)