J-K Gadzama LLP has announced that the 19th edition of its Annual Public Lecture will take place on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, bringing together leading legal practitioners, policymakers, academics and technology experts to examine the future of work and Nigeria’s preparedness for the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI).
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The lecture, scheduled to commence virtually at 2:00 p.m. West African Time (WAT), will focus on the theme, “The Future of Work: Preparing Nigeria’s Workforce for the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
According to the organisers, the event will provide a platform for examining how Nigeria can prepare, upskill and reposition its workforce to remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven economy while promoting inclusive growth, ethical innovation and a legal framework that protects employment opportunities and supports national development.
The programme will be chaired by the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, while the keynote lecture will be delivered by Mr Rotimi Ogunyemi, a technology lawyer and Partner at BOC Legal.
The organisers explained that the Annual Public Lecture, which has been held for nearly two decades, has established itself as an intellectual platform for discussions on issues at the intersection of law, governance, public policy and national development.
They noted that the 19th edition would build on that tradition by addressing the opportunities and challenges presented by the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence across various professions and sectors of the economy.
The lecture is expected to examine how technological advancements are transforming employment, workplace skills, professional responsibilities and career opportunities, particularly as businesses and institutions increasingly integrate AI into their operations.
It will also consider practical measures required to equip Nigerian workers with relevant knowledge and skills to adapt to technological changes without losing sight of the need to protect jobs and promote human development.
The organisers maintained that preparing Nigeria for the age of artificial intelligence requires deliberate attention to workforce development, ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks capable of balancing technological innovation with the interests of workers and society.
Dr Udeh, who will chair the occasion, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.
His participation will bring a government policy perspective to discussions concerning technological advancement, innovation and the development of Nigeria’s human capital in an AI-driven economy.
The keynote speaker, Mr Ogunyemi, is a technology law practitioner with more than 20 years of commercial legal experience.
As a Partner at BOC Legal, his areas of practice include technology law, artificial intelligence governance, data governance, cybersecurity regulation and digital policy.
His keynote lecture is expected to provide insights into the legal, policy and institutional issues surrounding the adoption of artificial intelligence, particularly its implications for Nigeria’s workforce, businesses and professional institutions.
Beyond the keynote address, the event will feature a panel of five discussants drawn from academia, data protection regulation, cybersecurity and legal practice.
Among the discussants is Professor Lukman Abdulrauf, a Professor in the Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.
His participation will provide an academic and public law perspective to the discussions, particularly on the role of legal frameworks in responding to technological developments and their implications for society.
Also participating is Ms Ibukunoluwa Owa, Assistant Manager in the Regulations Unit of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Her involvement will bring attention to the regulatory considerations surrounding artificial intelligence, including the protection of personal data and the responsibilities of organisations deploying emerging technologies.
Another discussant is Mr Folahanmi Ogunbodede, a systems and cybersecurity expert based in the United Kingdom.
His professional background will contribute a technical perspective to the discussions on digital systems, cybersecurity and the challenges associated with integrating artificial intelligence into workplace operations.
The panel will also include Ms Pamela Victor-Ibitamuno, a Cybersecurity Governance, Risk and Compliance Analyst at CybariK, United Kingdom.
Her participation will provide insights into cybersecurity governance, risk management and compliance considerations associated with the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence and other digital technologies.
Completing the panel is Ms Sarah Atumga, a Senior Associate at J-K Gadzama LLP, who will contribute a legal practice perspective to the discussions.
The combination of speakers from government, academia, legal practice, technology regulation and cybersecurity is expected to provide participants with different perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing Nigeria as artificial intelligence continues to transform the nature of work.
The organisers explained that the programme would address the need for workers and professionals to acquire new skills, adapt to emerging technologies and explore opportunities arising from changes in the global employment landscape.
Discussions will also consider how Nigeria can develop a workforce capable of participating effectively in an AI-driven economy while ensuring that technological advancement does not undermine inclusive growth and employment protection.
The lecture will further examine the importance of responsible innovation and the development of legal and policy frameworks that encourage the productive use of artificial intelligence while addressing its potential risks.
J-K Gadzama LLP emphasised that the Annual Public Lecture remains an important platform for intellectual engagement and the exchange of ideas on matters affecting the legal profession and wider society.
The firm said this year’s theme reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in shaping economic opportunities, professional development and national competitiveness.
It noted that the event would provide an opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of how artificial intelligence is changing the world of work and what Nigeria must do to prepare for those changes.
The organisers consequently invited legal practitioners, policymakers, academics, technology professionals, students, business leaders and other interested members of the public to participate in the lecture.
They encouraged prospective participants to register ahead of the event to take part in the discussions on workforce preparedness, technological innovation, ethical governance and the future of employment in Nigeria.
Interested participants can register through the following link:
The 19th J-K Gadzama LLP Annual Public Lecture will hold virtually on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. West African Time.
The organisers reiterated their invitation to all interested individuals, describing the lecture as an opportunity to engage with leading experts on how Nigeria can prepare its workforce, strengthen its institutions and take advantage of the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence while safeguarding the interests of workers and promoting national development.
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