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NITDA and Wigwe University Align on National Digital Priorities
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Wigwe University have initiated a strategic collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI) research, agricultural innovation and digital talent development, following a high-level engagement in Abuja.
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The meeting, led by Wigwe University Vice Chancellor, Marwan Al Akaidi, and senior NITDA officials, revealed strong alignment in expertise, priorities and national objectives aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s technological advancement and innovation capacity.
Building ‘The University of Africa’ Through Research and Innovation
Professor Al Akaidi said Wigwe University was established under the vision of the late Herbert Wigwe to become “the university of Africa,” delivering world-class teaching and transformative research for Nigeria and the continent.
He noted that while Nigeria is rich in talent, limited opportunities and weak industry-academia linkages often prevent that talent from being fully harnessed. According to him, Wigwe University intends to address this gap through strong partnerships with government and industry.
Driving Homegrown AI for Health and National Development
Drawing on his academic and research experience in the United Kingdom and the Middle East, Professor Al Akaidi disclosed that Wigwe University is already running an AI-for-Health initiative in Nigeria with a dedicated team of researchers.
He revealed plans to establish a full-fledged AI centre in Nigeria, similar to the one he helped build in Abu Dhabi, stressing that the university’s ambition is not to merely consume foreign AI solutions but to develop a distinctly Nigerian AI ecosystem tailored to local languages, needs and realities.
AI-Enabled Agriculture and Food Security Opportunities
Professor Al Akaidi highlighted Wigwe University’s location in Rivers State as a strategic advantage for AI-driven agriculture and food production research. Surrounded by farming communities, the institution sees opportunities to deploy AI in livestock management, land use optimisation, food processing and agricultural efficiency.
He noted that technology-driven feeding systems and data-led farming practices could significantly boost productivity, arguing that Nigeria’s agricultural output could multiply if AI is properly applied. He also pointed to the potential of AI in healthcare delivery, particularly in improving diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as malaria.
NITDA Positions Collaboration as Key to Digital Transformation
Representing NITDA, Aristotle described the Agency as Nigeria’s technology powerhouse, with mandates spanning IT development, regulation, innovation, research and standards.
He said Wigwe University’s proposals align strongly with NITDA’s strategic direction, citing initiatives such as the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and the National Adaptive Village for Smart Agriculture as immediate collaboration points. He emphasised that academia remains a critical stakeholder in building a sustainable national technology ecosystem.
Strengthening Research, Digital Literacy and Virtual Learning
NITDA’s Director of Research and Development, Kumo, said the Agency is working to position Nigeria within the top 25 per cent of global research performance. He noted that Wigwe University’s interests in AI, robotics, drones, Internet of Things, blockchain and additive manufacturing mirror NITDA’s priority research areas.
From the Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department, Tambuwal stressed the importance of producing digitally fluent graduates, noting that many workers still lack the skills required for modern digital systems. He expressed readiness to partner with Wigwe University on shared learning and capacity-building initiatives.
Closing the Gap Between Academia and Industry
Professor Al Akaidi underscored the need for continuous curriculum review to ensure students are not trained with outdated content, particularly in computing, engineering and technology. He stressed that teaching must be driven by active research and aligned with industry needs.
He added that Wigwe University is deliberately fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, with students already developing practical digital solutions, including a major educational app being launched by second-year students.
From Dialogue to Action
The engagement concluded with both NITDA and Wigwe University agreeing to move from dialogue to implementation. Dedicated teams will be constituted to map out concrete workstreams covering AI research, agricultural innovation, virtual learning, digital literacy, curriculum development and emerging technologies.
With shared resolve and complementary strengths, the partnership is poised to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and the development of a globally competitive technology ecosystem.
