Nigerian AI Researcher Christianah Ayansola Receives Prestigious IEEE President’s Coin at UK Parliament

Oluchi Chibuzor

Nigerian artificial intelligence researcher and IEEE student leader, Christianah Ayansola, has achieved a significant international milestone after receiving the prestigious Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) President’s Coin, personally presented by the 2026 IEEE President, Mary Ellen Randall, at the Houses of Parliament in London.

Ayansola, a Research Intern at the Centre of Intelligence of Things (CIoTh), University of Greater Manchester, Bolton, received the recognition during a distinguished parliamentary gathering on 3 November 2026, attended by senior representatives of academia, engineering, technology and government, including the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Kanishka Narayan MP.

The presentation took place in the Churchill Room, where IEEE Senior Members, Section Chairs, Vice Chairs, Life Members and other distinguished professionals gathered for the occasion. The IEEE President’s Coin is not a conventional conference award or certificate of participation. It represents personal recognition from the organisation’s presidential leadership, making the presentation an important professional milestone for Ayansola.

Beyond her research activities, Ayansola serves as Secretary of the IEEE Student Branch at the University of Greater Manchester and leads the IEEE Education Society within the Student Branch, combining academic development with engineering education and professional service. Her recognition highlights the growing visibility of Nigerian women contributing to international research, artificial intelligence and engineering leadership.

From Presidential Recognition to AI Healthcare Research
Ayansola’s presidential recognition followed her participation in the University of Greater Manchester’s three-day November to Remember programme, which brought together researchers, university leaders, engineering professionals and distinguished international guests. On the programme’s second day, 2 November 2026, Ayansola presented her academic research poster directly to IEEE President Mary Ellen Randall.

Her research, titled “Explainable AI-Assisted Early Immuno-Metabolic Risk Prediction Using Hall Participant-Level Data,” explores how explainable artificial intelligence can support the early identification and interpretation of immuno-metabolic health risks. Presented under the visual heading Beyond Glucose, the research investigates the potential of analysing multiple participant-level health indicators rather than relying on a single measurement.

The work reflects growing interest in applying artificial intelligence to preventive healthcare, particularly through predictive models whose outputs can be interpreted and understood. Explainable AI is especially relevant in healthcare because medical researchers and practitioners need to understand the factors influencing computational predictions. For Ayansola, presenting her work directly to the IEEE President represented an important opportunity to communicate her research to international engineering leadership.

The presentation also demonstrated her commitment to exploring how artificial intelligence can contribute to addressing complex healthcare challenges.

Volunteering and Distinguished University Engagements
In addition to presenting her research, Ayansola volunteered during the programme’s second day, contributing to event activities and demonstrating her commitment to professional service. Her volunteering complemented her IEEE leadership responsibilities, reflecting the importance of combining technical expertise with collaboration, organisation and community engagement.

The programme began on 1 November 2026 with a showcase exhibition highlighting the University of Greater Manchester’s medical school. Ayansola attended the exhibition, gaining exposure to developments in medical education and an interdisciplinary academic environment relevant to her interests in AI and digital health.

The first day also featured a distinguished welcome dinner hosted by the University of Greater Manchester for guests participating in the November to Remember programme. Among the attendees were the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, and his wife, Mayoress Sayda Iqbal, alongside Dr. Njide Okonjo-Udochi, university leaders Greg Walker and Sam Johnson, and other distinguished guests. Ayansola’s participation in these engagements provided opportunities to interact with representatives of academia, civic leadership and professional communities.
Representing Nigerian Talent at IEEE Future Automation Day
On 3 November 2026, the same day as her parliamentary recognition, Ayansola also participated in IEEE Future Automation Day, hosted by the University of West London in collaboration with CIoTh. She joined a research delegation comprising Collins Lemeke, Emmanuel Edim, Munachi Edom, Sharon Emmanuel and other participating researchers.

Lemeke, an Associate Researcher at CIoTh, led the robotics exhibition, which featured two interactive robotic platforms, Zeus Car and GalaxyRVR. Zeus Car demonstrated omnidirectional movement using mecanum wheels, geometric navigation patterns and a playful Peekaboo interaction. GalaxyRVR featured interactive functions including a Greeter mode with coordinated lighting effects and a Party mode involving rhythmic movement.

A distinctive feature of the exhibition allowed participants to change robotic operating modes by holding a book in front of a robot for approximately two seconds, illustrating an accessible approach to human–robot interaction. The demonstrations highlighted applications of intelligent automation in STEM education, public engagement and practical learning. Ayansola’s participation as a member of the research delegation reflected the importance of teamwork, interdisciplinary exposure and international collaboration in technological innovation.

CIoTh: Advancing Research Under Professor Celestine Iwendi
Ayansola’s achievements also reflect the research and professional development opportunities provided by the Centre of Intelligence of Things at the University of Greater Manchester, under the leadership of Professor Celestine Iwendi, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and IEEE Communications Society Distinguished Lecturer.

The Centre advances interdisciplinary research involving artificial intelligence, intelligent systems, automation and emerging technological applications. Through research mentorship, academic collaboration and international engagement, CIoTh provides opportunities for emerging researchers to develop their expertise and participate in global scientific communities.

Professor Iwendi’s leadership has been instrumental in fostering a research environment that encourages innovation, professional development and collaboration. Ayansola’s AI healthcare research and participation in international IEEE activities illustrate the value of such mentorship and institutional support.

The involvement of CIoTh researchers in IEEE Future Automation Day further demonstrates the Centre’s commitment to connecting academic research with practical technological innovation. The wider collaboration involving the University of Greater Manchester, University of West London and IEEE UK and Ireland Section reinforces the importance of institutional partnerships in developing globally engaged research talent.

Championing Engineering Education and Women in AI

Alongside her research internship, Ayansola’s responsibilities as Secretary of the IEEE Student Branch and leader of its IEEE Education Society demonstrate her commitment to engineering education and student professional development. Her combination of AI research, IEEE leadership, volunteering and international engagement reflects a developing professional profile extending beyond technical research alone.

As artificial intelligence increasingly influences healthcare, education and industry, the participation of women from diverse backgrounds remains essential to building inclusive technological communities. Ayansola’s experience offers an encouraging example for young Nigerian women aspiring to pursue careers in artificial intelligence, digital health, engineering and scientific research.

A Milestone for Nigerian Research Excellence

The recognition of Christianah Ayansola at the UK Parliament represents an encouraging example of Nigerian talent gaining visibility within the international engineering and technology community.

Across three days, she participated in a medical school showcase and distinguished welcome dinner, volunteered at an academic programme, presented her own AI healthcare research directly to the IEEE President, received presidential recognition and joined an international robotics research delegation.

These experiences reflect the importance of academic mentorship, professional service, research communication and international collaboration.

For the Centre of Intelligence of Things and Professor Celestine Iwendi, the programme highlights the value of supporting emerging researchers and creating opportunities for meaningful international engagement.

For Ayansola, November 2026 brought two particularly defining moments: presenting her research directly to the IEEE President and receiving the IEEE President’s Coin at the heart of British parliamentary life.

Her journey stands as an encouraging example of Nigerian women contributing to artificial intelligence, engineering education and international scientific advancement.