By Prince Osuagwu

High-level government officials and development partners gathered at the University of Lagos to unveil the Artificial Intelligence University Innovation Pods (AI UNIPOD) at the Lagos State University, yaba.

Organizers say AI UNIPOD is a project that aims to empower students and institutions with practical skills, foster innovation, and spur measurable social and economic impact.

The event saw the Vice-President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan, with Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, and other dignitaries in attendance.

Speaking at the ceremony, Attafuah underscored the need for a collective effort from stakeholders to ensure the initiative’s success.

Attafuah urged greater private sector investment, emphasized alignment among partners and development institutions, and called on governments to localize digital regional transformation contexts. She described AI UNIPOD as an opportunity for Nigeria’s youth to engage with curiosity, creativity, and commitment.

She said: “The success of this system will depend on the collective effort of all stakeholders. To the youth, this platform is an opportunity that calls for curiosity, creativity, and commitment. To the private sector it helps to invest in talent, support innovation, and help translate ideas into enterprises.

“To partners and development institutions it will help them to align, scale what works, and support systems that deliver measurable impact.

“To state governments, they can take this model further, embedding it within local contexts to drive regional transformation,” she added.

Also adding his voice, Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), said that Nigeria’s economy needs market-ready solutions and empowerment to accelerate growth.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola tipped the initiative to be a catalyst for development, disclosing the institution’s objective to breed technological advanced, economic competitive and societal problem solving leaders.

She said: “On a national scale, this initiative has immense potential to be a catalyst for development.

“The applications of AI are boundless and we aim to cultivate a generation of leaders who can drive technological advancement, enhance our economic competitiveness, and address critical societal needs.” She added.

Ogunsola described Artificial Intelligence as a critical instrument reshaping the world, lauding its augment human capabilities, science discovery acceleration and complex problem solving ability.

“Artificial Intelligence is a pivotal force reshaping our world. Its potential to augment human capabilities, accelerate scientific discovery, and solve complex global challenges is immense.” She said.

Other attendees at the launch included the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; the Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake; and additional representatives from government and development circles.

The launch marks a strategic step in Nigeria’s drive to harness artificial intelligence for higher education and regional development.