The Federal Government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is set to transform Nigerian universities into hubs for artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, and digital talent development.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will on April 7, 2026, officially launch the first University Innovation Pods (UNIPOD) in Africa at the University of Lagos, marking the beginning of the initiative.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the programme is aimed at repositioning universities as engines of economic growth, innovation, and enterprise development, while addressing the disconnect between formal education and labour market outcomes.
He explained that the UniPods will provide structured platforms within universities where ideas can be developed, tested, financed, and transformed into viable enterprises capable of driving economic and social impact.
According to him, the rollout will begin with the University of Lagos AI hub, with additional centres planned in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, Benue, and Borno States.
Also speaking, UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, said Nigeria is the first African country to scale the UniPods model through direct government investment, positioning it as a continental leader in building a knowledge-driven economy.
She noted that the hubs will focus on key sectors including mining technology, green and blue economy, manufacturing and trade, agriculture and food systems, and resilience and recovery, forming a nationwide innovation network across all geopolitical zones.
Attafuah added that the initiative will be implemented under the National Innovation and Digital Transformation Partnership Programme, a collaboration between UNDP and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), designed to transform public investments into innovation ecosystems.
She said the programme aims to scale to over 50 universities, equip more than 500,000 learners with advanced digital and AI skills, and support up to 2,000 startups and student-led ventures, driving job creation and enterprise growth.
The initiative, she added, is expected to position Nigeria as a hub for digital talent and a leader in AI-driven innovation across Africa.
By Deji Elumoye
