Nigerian Abel Aboh nominated among 100 UK AI leaders

Nigerian-born technology leader Abel Aboh has been included in the Foundever AI 100 UK 2026 list, honoring individuals who are leveraging AI for practical applications in the United Kingdom. The award recognizes Aboh alongside 99 other distinguished professionals from various sectors, including business, government, academia, and the third sector, who are utilizing AI in tangible ways. These individuals contribute through tool development, AI adoption, policy shaping, and facilitating AI education and use.

Aboh currently serves as a Data Management and AI leader at the Bank of England, where his responsibilities encompass data, information, AI transformation, data governance, and financial-sector data collection. His LinkedIn profile highlights his expertise in data management, AI, data governance, and financial-sector data. Aboh is a strong advocate for data and AI education, frequently speaking at events such as Big Data London, the Data Innovation Summit, and UK data governance conferences.

This nomination follows other recognitions for Aboh, including a finalist position for British Data Leader of the Year 2021, serving as a judge for the British Data Awards, and engaging in educational and board-level activities in Scotland. The Foundever announcement emphasizes that the 2026 list focuses on impactful contributions to AI, whether through tool development, effective adoption, policy shaping, or promoting AI education and use among others.

The public will have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice award, with voting concluding on October 5, 2026. Foundever partnered with Digital Leaders to become the naming partner of one of the UK’s premier annual AI leadership celebrations. Foundever’s EVP & General Manager EMEA Sales, UK&I, France & Benelux, Claire Calmejane, explained the collaboration, emphasizing Aboh's passion for data, technology, education, diversity, inclusion, social mobility, and youth empowerment.

He has been actively involved in initiatives documenting the contributions of Black communities in Scotland, notably through the Proudly Black and Scottish digital heritage project.