TITLE (PROF/DR/): DR.

NAME: CHIKA YINKA-BANJO

POSITION: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR                                          SPECIALISATION:ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ROBOTICS

EDUCATION/TRAINING (Begin with Bachelor’s degree or other initial professional education, such as nursing, include postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable. Add/delete rows as necessary.)

Personal Statement

My principal research interest lies in the development of machine learning techniques using sound Artificial and Computational intelligence principles, especially for solving problems in different real-life domains’. I have previously worked in robotics since 2010 using machine learning techniques like Reinforcement Learning, Bayesian Networks, Evolution algorithms (Ant Colony Optimization) and Neural Networks. However, I still do some research work in that space but mostly reach-out programs. I want to diversify and explore other areas using machine learning that is why I am currently involved in using machine learning techniques to solve problems in Education, Health, Finance and Agriculture.

Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honours

• 2025-2027 Co-PI for IDRC/FCDO on creation of AI LAB in Nigeria
• 2023-2024   Lead PI for AI in Climate change Research grant on  Assessment of impacts of climate       change and adaptation practices using AI
• 2022-2023 Lead PI for Equitable AI on AI Gender Aware Auditing Tool from USAID/DAIGlobal (USD 100,000+)
• 2021-2024 Co-PI for IDRC/SIDA Innovative Education Artificial Intelligence  (EduAI) Hub for Africa (CAD1.2million+)
• 2020-2021 Co-I for HSRC/Facebook Research Award, Ethics in AI Research Initiative for Africa ($25,000)
• 2020 Co-I, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), GCRF Digital Innovation for Development in Africa (DIDA) funding for Environment fingerprinting via DiGital technology – a new paradigm in hazard forecasting and Early-warning systems for health risks in Africa (EDGE)
• 2019 – 2020 AlumNode Germany Award of 6800 Euros for a five-man project in Animal Technology
• 2019 Massachusetts Institute of Technology -Empowering the Teachers (MIT-ETT) Fellowship, Boston, USA
• 2018 One of the 200 most qualified Young Researchers to participate in the Heidelberg Laureate Forum, Germany (For world Laureates in Mathematics and Computer Sciences)
• 2016-2018      PI, AIMS Alumni Small Research Grant from AIMS South Africa & IDRC Canada ($20,000), A grant to start-up a research lab in my country After PhD program
• 2013     L’Oreal-Unesco for Women in science fellow award for sub-Saharan Africa ($20,000), A grant to pursue research after PhD
• 2011- 2014     Organization for Women in Science for the Developing world, Italy (OWSD) for PhD sponsorship,  A three year scholarship for the award of PhD in Computer Science, at the University of Cape Town South Africa,
• 2009 –2010 African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa for PgD sponsorship,  A Nine Months Award to Study Mathematical Sciences
• 1997 Abuja National Mathematics Centre academic award for best Mathematics Student in Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

 Selected Most Recent Publications /Contributions to Knowledge

1. Chidiebere B. Nwaneto * , Chika Yinka-Banjo , Ogban Ugot, An object detection solution for early detection of taro leaf blight disease in  the West African sub-region (2025), Franklin Open, Elsevier, vol 10, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fraope.2024.100197.
2. Chidiebere Nwaneto, Chika Yiinka-Banjo, Ogban-Asuquo Ugot, Thompson Annor, Obiageli Umeugochukwu (2024), Early Detection of the Taro Leaf Blight Disease in the West African Sub-Region Using Deep Image Classification Models,  Smart Agricultural Technology Elsevier, vol 9,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2024.100636.
3. Chika Yinka-Banjo, Mary Akinyemi, Olasupo Ajayi, David Tresner-Kirsch (2024). Data on gender-equitable healthcare accessibility in Northern Nigeria. Data in Brief -Elsevier, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp 109979
4. Chika Yinka-Banjo, Mary Akinyemi, Olasupo Ajayi, David Tresner-Kirsch (2024). Data on gender-equitable healthcare accessibility in Northern Nigeria. Data in Brief -Elsevier, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp 109979
5. Solomon Chiekezi Nwaneri, Chika Yinka-Banjo, Ugochi Chinomso Uregbulam, Oluwakemi Ololade Odukoy, Agbotiname Lucky Imoize, (2023),  Explainable neural networks in diabetes mellitus prediction,  The Institute of Engineering and Technology,  313 – 328.

Collaborators/ Networks (International inclusive)

1. IDRC Canada
2. USAID USA

• ECDF Germany

1. L’Oreal-Unesco France
2. CORE AI, Sweden, Stellenbosch