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The Federal Government has formally launched the Artificial Intelligence University Innovation Pod (UniPod) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), signalling what officials described as a decisive step towards positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for economic growth and national development.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held on Monday in Lagos, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, affirmed that Nigeria is well positioned to lead Africa in leveraging AI to unlock new pathways for prosperity. He noted that the initiative would be expanded to about 50 tertiary institutions across the country as part of a broader national strategy.
Shettima, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said Nigeria must take an active role in shaping the global AI landscape rather than remaining a passive participant.
He described AI as humanity’s most powerful general-purpose technology, capable of redefining industries, economies and human potential, while also serving as a transformative engine of creativity.
According to him, “Nigeria must not be passive in the unfolding AI era. We must build digital foundations that empower our innovators, governments and enterprises to develop solutions tailored to our realities and challenges.
“Whether in agriculture, health, education or finance, AI has the power to unlock new pathways for prosperity. But this will only be achieved if we design systems that are inclusive, equitable and rooted in our values.”
The Vice President further stressed that the Federal Government’s investments in digital public infrastructure, innovation ecosystems and responsible AI governance are geared towards ensuring that Nigeria evolves from being a consumer of foreign technologies to a producer of knowledge, innovation and scalable solutions.
Inaugurating the UniPod facility, Shettima noted that the project reflects a broader shift in the role of universities within the country’s national innovation system.
He said universities are no longer just centres for teaching and learning, but are increasingly being repositioned as hubs for enterprise, production and national development.
“Projects like the UniPod form a critical part of this architecture. They provide platforms where students, researchers and industry players can collaborate to build practical solutions that address real economic challenges,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to development partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the University of Lagos and the Lagos State Government for their roles in establishing the first UniPod.
Shettima emphasised that the initiative is not a one-time intervention but part of a long-term strategy designed to be scaled, sustained and continuously evaluated based on measurable outcomes.
“What we are building are institutional foundations that will enable Nigeria to compete globally with clarity and purpose,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the UniPod initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with critical digital and entrepreneurial skills required in a rapidly evolving global economy.
She said the innovation pods would function as ecosystems within universities where ideas can be nurtured, refined and transformed into viable solutions and startups.
“Our universities must evolve beyond their traditional roles to become engines of economic growth and national development,” she said, urging students and researchers to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the programme.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, disclosed that the institution has already made significant progress in the field of artificial intelligence.
She revealed that the university has trained over 14,000 individuals in AI-related programmes and supported more than 20 AI-driven startups operating across sectors such as healthcare, education and agriculture.
Ogunsola explained that the UniPod would consolidate existing innovation hubs within the university, while also promoting interdisciplinary research and addressing critical issues such as data integrity, ethics and the responsible use of AI.
The UniPod facility at UNILAG is equipped with design studios, virtual reality laboratories, artificial intelligence and robotics labs, as well as maker spaces fitted with advanced tools including 3D printers and laser cutting machines.
Earlier, the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, Ms Elsie G. Attafuah, described the initiative as a forward-looking system designed to ensure that Nigeria’s youthful population is not only prepared for the future but actively involved in shaping it.
She noted that the UniPod connects knowledge to opportunity, innovation to enterprise and talent to national development, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global economy.
“This is a significant moment. UNDP is proud to partner with UNILAG, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria in building a future anchored on innovation, competitiveness and inclusive growth,” she said.
The launch marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to harness emerging technologies for sustainable development, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the UniPod model will catalyse innovation and economic transformation across the country.
