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Move Aims to Power Digital Transformation and Deepen Homegrown Innovation
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish Nigeria’s first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence at the University of Jos. It is a major step toward strengthening local research capacity, accelerating digital transformation, and positioning academic institutions at the centre of technology-driven development.
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The announcement was made by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, while delivering the convocation lecture 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.”
Tijani later reaffirmed the initiative in a post on LinkedIn following the event.
A National Hub for AI Research, Skills and Innovation
According to the minister, the proposed centre will serve as a national hub for artificial intelligence research, skills development, and innovation, bridging the gap between academic work, industry needs, and government priorities.
He said the facility, to be supported by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, will position Nigeria as an active contributor to the global AI ecosystem, rather than a passive consumer of foreign technologies.
“At the heart of this initiative is our determination that Nigeria will not merely adopt artificial intelligence—we will help shape it,” Tijani said.
Driving Nigeria’s Voice in Global AI Governance
The minister stressed that the AI Centre of Excellence reflects Nigeria’s resolve not to remain a rule-taker in emerging global AI governance frameworks.
Nigeria has a population of over 240 million, growing by about five million annually. This means Nigeria must play a defining role in how AI systems are designed, regulated, and deployed, he said.
“AI is built on numbers, and Nigeria has the numbers. We are too big a country not to participate meaningfully in artificial intelligence,” Tijani noted, adding that the country’s population could approach 500 million within two decades.
Inclusive AI: Building Systems that Reflect Nigerian Realities
A core mandate of the centre will be inclusive research and data representation, ensuring that AI systems understand Nigeria’s:
- Social and economic realities
- Cultural diversity
- Indigenous languages
- Local market dynamics
Tijani emphasised that Nigerian universities must lead efforts to develop locally relevant datasets and contextual intelligence. Local universities must learn not to rely solely on imported AI models trained on foreign data.
Such an approach, he said, is essential if artificial intelligence is to deliver real economic and social value to Nigerian communities.
Universities as Engines of Innovation
Challenging the idea that global leadership in AI is driven only by access to computing power. Tijani pointed out that decades of academic investment in machine learning and foundational research laid the groundwork for AI leadership in countries such as the United States and France.
Tijani
He urged Nigerian universities to adopt a similar long-term vision. They must engage deeply in fundamental research that can support innovation, policy development, and industrial growth.
Why the University of Jos Was Chosen
The University of Jos was chosen to host the new AI center to broaden the engine for thought leadership. This aligns with a national strategy empowering Nigerian universities as global South innovation hubs.
As an alumnus of the institution, Tijani said the university must move beyond observing Nigeria’s digital future to actively shaping it. The university must everage its academic heritage to drive cutting-edge research and talent development.
A Strategic Boost for Nigeria’s Digital Economy
The National AI Centre of Excellence is expected to play a pivotal role in:
- Talent development in artificial intelligence and data science
- Research collaboration with global institutions and industry players
- Policy advisory support for government on AI regulation and ethics
- Innovation incubation for startups and tech entrepreneurs
This new AI center is a strategic cornerstone for Nigeria’s 2026 digital economy agenda. It positions the country to compete globally in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
