The national rollout of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) UniPod—an innovation hub aimed at driving youth-led tech development and entrepreneurship—began on Tuesday at the University of Lagos.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme, and UNILAG, is part of UNDP’s Africa Timbuktoo Initiative. It is designed to position Nigerian universities at the forefront of a continent-wide push to harness innovation for economic growth and job creation.
Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia described the programme as a turning point for university-driven innovation.
“This is not just a forum for dialogue, but a platform for enterprise and national development,” he said. “Artificial Intelligence is shaping the future, and Nigeria must play an active role in that transformation.”
UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, called the launch a “transformative milestone” for both the institution and the country.
“This marks the start of a journey that will shape innovation, research, and national development,” she said, noting that the university has already built capacity in AI research, training, and startup incubation—efforts the UniPod is expected to consolidate and accelerate.
UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, said the programme is focused on economic inclusion and bridging the gap between academic innovation and market opportunities.
The UniPod is expected to support startup creation, generate jobs, and empower young Africans to drive the digital economy.
The event drew key stakeholders across government, academia, and industry. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake.
Other dignitaries included the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, represented by Minister of State, Suwaiba Ahmad; Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono; and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack.
Nigeria is among the first countries to implement the UniPod model at scale, with eight universities selected for the first cohort. Each will focus on key sectors including AI, AgriTech, MiningTech, GreenTech, TourismTech, TradeTech, and the creative economy.
Participating institutions include UNILAG, Ahmadu Bello University, Benue State University, Lagos State University, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, University of Maiduguri, Nasarawa State University, and University of Uyo.
The launch also featured the inauguration of the National Innovation System Initiative, a platform aimed at integrating talent, research, and capital into a cohesive ecosystem to drive job creation, strengthen industries, and improve livelihoods.
With the first AI UniPod now operational at UNILAG, attention is expected to shift to rolling out similar hubs nationwide, with stakeholders emphasising collaboration across government, academia, the private sector, and development partners as critical to translating innovation into tangible economic impact.
