The Joan Agha Foundation has unveiled new strategic approaches aimed at helping entrepreneurs navigate the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in business. The initiative was part of the foundation’s 10th Entrepreneurship Lecture for Women and Youths, held in Lagos with the theme ‘Entrepreneurship in the Face of Artificial Intelligence’.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Foundation announced that the event convened stakeholders across sectors to discuss how entrepreneurs can adopt AI tools while also addressing the potential disruptions AI may cause to traditional business models.
The keynote speaker, Mr Abisoye Lateef Atolagagbe, a Senior Software Engineering Consultant at Casebook PBC, USA, gave a comprehensive lecture on the real-world applications of AI in small businesses. He highlighted how entrepreneurs can use AI for logo design, market research, global marketing strategies, and increasing product visibility.
Atolagagbe stressed the need for entrepreneurs to see AI not as a threat but as a tool for innovation and growth, especially in an increasingly digital global economy.
Dr Joan Agha, President of the Joan Agha Foundation, used the occasion to reflect on the foundation’s journey over the past decade. She reaffirmed the Foundation’s goal of equipping individuals, especially women and youth, with skills that can transform lives and drive sustainable development.
“This year marks a decade of unwavering commitment to empowering minds, nurturing talents, and creating platforms that ignite innovation and economic independence,” Agha said.
She noted that the rise of AI is no longer speculative but a tangible force shaping industries, jobs, and business operations. She urged the participants to adopt a forward-thinking mindset and build skills that would allow them to thrive in this evolving landscape.
“Our theme this year is timely, bold, and deeply relevant. AI is no longer a distant concept; it is here, transforming industries, redefining jobs, and presenting both opportunities and challenges,” she stated.
Also speaking at the event was Dr Uche Ejifor, Chief Medical Director of Clinix Healthcare, Lagos, who delivered a health-focused presentation titled ‘Causes of Sudden Death’. He pointed out that cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of sudden death and emphasized the importance of first aid knowledge and a healthy lifestyle for both personal well-being and professional productivity.
Ejifor’s session linked physical health to entrepreneurial success, highlighting how health issues could undermine business efforts if left unattended.
The anniversary event also featured the presentation of awards and cash prizes to select beneficiaries of the foundation’s empowerment programs. These recognitions underscore the foundation’s continued investment in youth and women empowerment through training, funding, and mentorship.
Over the past ten years, the Joan Agha Foundation has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs with capacity-building initiatives and seed funding, promoting inclusive growth and economic resilience.
As discussions around AI and its impact on the workforce and entrepreneurship gain momentum globally, the Foundation’s 10th anniversary event stands out as a timely intervention, especially for Nigerian entrepreneurs seeking to future-proof their businesses.
