Artificial intelligence will take center stage at the Quramo Festival of Words 2025 (QFest) with a panel discussion titled “AI Awakening: Weaving African Narratives in the Web of Creativity, Truth & Tomorrow.”
The session, which explores how AI is shaping storytelling, truth, and Africa’s future in creativity and innovation, will be moderated by Ridwan Adelaja, a poet, journalist, and communications specialist known for bridging technology and culture.
The festival organizers, Quramo, announced the panel on LinkedIn, highlighting the lineup of speakers. The discussion is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10:10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m, at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Spotlight on Ridwan Adelaja
Adelaja brings a rare blend of literary artistry and media expertise to the moderator’s chair. He is a poet, journalist, speech writer, event compere, and comms specialist with experience in SEO, PR and Advertising for government organisations, corporate companies and African tech startups.
As a poet, his art predominantly mirrors life, society, politics and faith; and has won notable awards including 2017 Ken Egbas Poetry Award, 2018 Tony Fernandez Poetry Award, and 2018 Korea-Nigeria Poetry Award where he clinched Gold, Gold, and Bronze respectively.
As a media/tech ecosystem player, Ridwan is the co-founder of Techparley Africa, a team of tech storytellers showcasing the vibrant tech landscape in Africa.
Outside his professional life, he drives strategy and partnerships for community development projects. He is, today, an alumnus of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
In addition, Ridwan currently serves as Media Aide to the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and edits the “AI in Africa” beat on Techparley.com.
According to industry experts, Adelaja’s background positions him uniquely to bridge conversations between technology and culture. Reacting to Quramo’s announcement on LinkedIn, Adelaja expressed his anticipation for the session.
“Thank you for the invitation to moderate this panel session,” Adelaja said. “Artificial Intelligence (AI), today, has become a buzz word, and as experts, we must discuss it, and put it into perspective, especially as it impacts creativity. I can’t wait to meet and engage all these brilliant panelists.”
A Panel of Diverse Voices
Joining Adelaja on stage are a group of accomplished thought leaders drawn from technology, creativity, and strategy, including:
- Obinna Okerekeocha, a creative director, filmmaker, film director and producer, and director of content at Moniepoint.
- Dele Sikuade, CEO at Countersoft, a company that owns and develops Gemini software.
- Olajumoke Coker, an Associate at ALP NG & Co, and former festival director at QFest.
- Kapil Chandwani, a technology leader with experience in artificial intelligence, and CEO of Anrak.
- Nurudeen Soremekun, a Nigerian software engineer, and Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Iwelabi Consulting Ltd.
Each brings a unique lens to the conversation, offering insights that cut across innovation, culture, and the future of storytelling.
Together, the speakers will examine AI’s impact on creativity, cultural narratives, and how Africans can shape the future of technology-driven storytelling.
About the Event
Festivalgoers and professionals interested in attending can secure their spot by registering online through Quramo’s official registration page.
Quramo Publishing is an independent publishing house dedicated to producing content across diverse genres and audiences. Its growing portfolio features several imprints, including Q Books, Mango Books, The Kuramo Report, and CLRN Direct.
The company’s publishing mission spans cultural history, contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and academic works, as well as specialised titles that document pivotal events and capture the essence of their era.
As one of the headline events of QFest 2025, the team says it promises to spark critical dialogue on the opportunities and ethical questions posed by AI.
With Adelaja guiding the session, observers say the panel is expected to spotlight both the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and the importance of grounding it in African realities.
Talking Points
It is significant that the Quramo Festival of Words 2025 is dedicating a full session to artificial intelligence, placing Africa’s cultural narratives at the heart of global conversations about technology.
By framing the dialogue around creativity, truth, and tomorrow, the panel acknowledges that AI is more than a technical tool, it is also shaping how societies tell their stories and preserve their identities.
Having Ridwan Adelaja as moderator is a strong choice. His background as both a poet and a media strategist bridges the gap between art and technology, ensuring that the conversation remains balanced, engaging, and rooted in Africa’s lived realities.
At Techparley, we see how this type of cross-sector conversation can spark collaborations between writers, technologists, and innovators, enriching Africa’s cultural industries while preparing them for a tech-driven future.
With the right momentum, this session could become a model for how African festivals integrate technology into cultural discourse, ensuring that conversations about AI are not imported but shaped by African voices.
