Bingham University, Karu has commenced the SmartBrains Neuroscience School 2026, a five-day training programme aimed at strengthening neuroscience education, promoting innovation and building research capacity among emerging scientists across Africa.

The programme, themed “NeuroAI, Neurotechnology and Career Empowerment Tools” brings together scholars, researchers and young scientists from several universities across Nigeria, alongside virtual participants from other parts of Africa and beyond.

Declaring the programme open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba, the Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Okoli Joseph Bamidele, welcomed participants and distinguished scholars attending both physically and virtually.

Delivering the Vice-Chancellor’s address, Prof. Okoli noted that the gathering represents a significant intellectual milestone and reflects the growing commitment to advancing neuroscience education and research across the continent. He emphasized that the increasing interest in the programme demonstrates the importance of collaborative scientific efforts in addressing pressing health and developmental challenges in Africa.

He explained that neuroscience has become one of the most transformative scientific disciplines globally, influencing fields such as medicine, psychology, artificial intelligence and public policy. However, neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including stroke, epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases, continue to pose major health challenges worldwide, particularly in Africa where research infrastructure and trained specialists remain limited.

According to him, initiatives like the SmartBrains Neuroscience School are essential for bridging these gaps by equipping young scientists with cutting-edge knowledge, practical skills and professional networks needed to drive innovation in brain health research.

He further highlighted the importance of collaboration and mentorship, noting that the diversity of participants from different institutions enriches the learning environment and encourages cross-institutional research partnerships.

He urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity by engaging actively in discussions, asking questions, and building networks that will extend beyond the duration of the programme.

A major highlight of the opening session was the keynote lecture delivered by Prof. Barnabas Danborno of the Department of Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University titled “NeuroAI, NeuroTechnology and Career Empowerment Tools: A Survey of the Contemporary Landscape.”

In his presentation, Prof. Danborno traced the historical development of neuroscience from ancient civilizations to the modern scientific era, explaining that early understanding of the brain often combined rudimentary scientific observations with spiritual interpretations.

He noted that neuroscience in the 21st century is undergoing rapid transformation driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, which are increasingly used to analyze large volumes of brain data, interpret neural signals and predict behavioral patterns.

The keynote speaker highlighted several emerging fields shaping modern neuroscience, including computational neuroscience, neuroengineering, neurotechnology, brain-computer interfaces and large-scale brain mapping.

He explained that artificial intelligence has become indispensable in neuroscience research due to its ability to analyze complex datasets generated from neuroimaging, electrophysiology, genomics, neuronal data and cognitive studies. According to him, these technologies are improving diagnostic accuracy, enabling early detection of neurological and psychiatric disorders, enhancing drug discovery processes and advancing personalized neuromedicine.

Prof. Danborno further identified key competencies required for the next generation of neuroscientists, including strong foundations in neuroscience, programming skills in languages such as Python, R, and MATLAB, data science, neuroinformatics, ethics awareness, scientific communication and interdisciplinary fluency.

He also emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence for researchers, noting that the pressures associated with academic research, experimentation and publication require scientists to develop resilience, empathy, motivation and effective interpersonal skills.

While acknowledging the enormous benefits of artificial intelligence in neuroscience, he cautioned that its rapid adoption raises ethical and legal concerns relating to data privacy, neurodata security and algorithmic bias, stressing the need for responsible innovation.

In his concluding message, the keynote speaker stressed that artificial intelligence and neurotechnology are no longer optional tools but have become foundational elements of modern neuroscience research and healthcare delivery.

The opening session concluded with closing remarks delivered by the representative of Registrar, Dr. Barnabas Z. Abesadu, Senior Deputy Registrar, Senior Staff Establishment. Speaking on behalf of the Registrar, Mr. Daburi Bello Misal, he commended the organizers and participants for the successful commencement of the programme and described the theme as timely and relevant to the evolving landscape of scientific research. He encouraged participants to maximize the opportunity provided by the programme to expand their knowledge, strengthen professional networks and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of research and innovation.

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Directorate of Public Affairs 

Office of the Vice-Chancellor 

Bingham University