The Federal Government plans to establish a National Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence at the University of Jos as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital transformation and place academic institutions at the centre of technology-driven development.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this in a post on LinkedIn on Sunday after delivering a convocation lecture at the University of Jos. He said the proposed centre would serve as a hub for artificial intelligence research, skills development and innovation, helping to align academic research with industry needs and government priorities.
Tijani spoke at the university’s 35th and 36th Convocation Ceremony, which also marked its 50th anniversary. His lecture was titled “Building a Prosperous Nigeria: Academic Institutions and the Architecture of a Technology-Powered Society.”
According to the minister, Nigerian universities must play a central role in the country’s development journey by acting as engines of research, innovation and talent development. He said stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government was urgently needed to turn knowledge into real-world impact.
He explained that locating the AI centre within the university would position the institution as a key contributor to Nigeria’s emerging artificial intelligence ecosystem and support the Federal Government’s wider digital economy agenda.
The announcement aligns with Nigeria’s recent efforts to move artificial intelligence beyond pilot projects into practical sector impact. The country has rolled out a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, set up a government-backed AI Collective ecosystem, and introduced programmes such as an AI Scaling Hub and a National AI Trust to speed up adoption across key sectors.
In April 2025, Nigeria formally launched its National AI Strategy in Lagos, outlining a framework to drive AI-led productivity and economic growth. The strategy is built on five pillars: infrastructure, development of a world-class AI ecosystem, sector-wide adoption, responsible use of AI, and strong governance, supported by 12 goals and 34 initiatives guiding implementation.
To promote coordination and inclusive innovation, the government also created the Nigeria AI Collective Ecosystem, bringing together more than 70 AI leaders from companies, start-ups, professional bodies and enabling organisations. A National AI Trust, established in early 2025, is responsible for overseeing execution of the strategy and coordinating AI investments across critical sectors.
These initiatives complement existing talent development pipelines such as the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, alongside increasing private-sector use of AI solutions in education, healthcare and financial services.
Tijani described his return to the University of Jos, his alma mater, as deeply personal. He thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, and the university’s leadership for the invitation and warm reception.
He said he left Jos encouraged by the energy and ambition of the institution, adding that empowering academic institutions to lead in innovation would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
No implementation timeline was disclosed.
