Nigeria poised to lead Africa’s AI revolution – Shettima
…unveils UniPod initiative to drive university-led solutions Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria is strategically positioned to lead Africa in harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for economic growth and
...unveils UniPod initiative to drive university-led solutions
- From Bolaji Ogundele, Lagos
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria is strategically positioned to lead Africa in harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for economic growth and continental prosperity, urging a decisive shift from dependence on imported technologies to homegrown innovation.
He stated this on Monday in Lagos at the official launch of the AI University Innovation Pod (UniPod) at the University of Lagos, where he underscored the urgency of Nigeria taking a frontline role in the unfolding global AI revolution.
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Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, the Vice President described AI as “humanity’s most powerful general-purpose technology,” noting that it would shape the future of societies and redefine human possibilities.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima warned that Nigeria “must not be passive in the unfolding AI era,” stressing the need to build robust digital foundations that empower innovators, governments, and businesses to develop context-specific solutions.
“Whether in agriculture, health, education, or finance, AI has the power to unlock new pathways for prosperity. But it will do so only if we design systems that are inclusive, equitable, and rooted in our values,” Shettima said.
Expressing confidence in Nigeria’s readiness, the Vice President pointed to ongoing investments in digital public infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and responsible AI governance as critical pillars driving the country’s ambition.
“Our goal is clear—to make Nigeria not a consumer of imported technologies, but a producer of knowledge, innovation, and scalable solutions,” he added.
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Shettima further described the UniPod initiative as part of a broader transformation of Nigeria’s national innovation system, where universities are repositioned beyond traditional teaching roles to become hubs of enterprise, production, and national development.
“Projects like this UniPod are integral to a delivery architecture where students, researchers, and industry practitioners collaborate to build solutions that respond directly to real economic needs,” he said.
He commended key development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the University of Lagos, and the Lagos State Government, for supporting the initiative.
According to him, the UniPod is not a one-off intervention but part of a scalable national framework aimed at establishing multiple institutional platforms to strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in emerging technologies.
“What we are doing here, and across similar efforts nationwide, is to build dozens of institutional bases required to compete—patiently, but with clarity,” he stated.
Earlier, Resident Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, Elsie G. Attafuah, described the UniPod as a transformative platform that would empower Nigeria’s youthful population to actively shape the future.
She explained that the initiative connects knowledge with opportunity, innovation with enterprise, and talent with national prosperity, positioning Nigeria for long-term competitiveness and inclusive growth.
“This is a significant moment. UNDP is proud to stand with UNILAG, the government, and the people of Nigeria as a partner in this journey,” Attafuah said.
