By Chinenye Anuforo
To advance the course of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa, the first AI Nigeria-focused University is set to be established in Epe, Lagos.
The varsity aims to transform the continent into a global hub for technological innovation, addressing unemployment by equipping Nigerian youths with cutting-edge skills in AI and positioning the nation as a major player in the global AI market.
To be named Wini University, it was inspired by the world’s first Artificial Intelligence university, established in Qatar, which attracted top scholars and innovators from countries like China, India, the United States, and Europe.
The Nigerian journey began in 2016, when a group of visionaries from Boston and Nigeria came together with a shared dream. After years of planning, securing expressions of interest from the National University Commission (NUC), and rallying support, the vision for Wini University is now taking shape.
According to Wini Group, the varsity will revolutionise education in Africa and serve as the nucleus for Africa’s first Silicon Valley powered by AI. They said it aimed to build a vibrant community of world-class faculty and students passionate about leveraging AI and quantum computing to drive progress in Africa and beyond. Its mission is to create a generation of African youth who are not mere spectators in the global AI market but active players and innovators.
Also, the proposed Wini University is envisioned as Africa’s first university entirely focused on Artificial Intelligence. This project is not just about academics; it is a bold step toward transforming Lagos into the Silicon Valley of Africa,a hub where innovation and technology converge to solve real-world problems.
In 2013, President Vladimir Putin of Russia declared that the nation leading in Artificial Intelligence would dominate as the next global superpower. Over a decade later, this prophecy continues to unfold as AI becomes the axis on which industries and human advancement revolve.
The proposed university will empower young Nigerians to create groundbreaking solutions that will redefine industries and economies. By equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge in technologies like blockchain, cloud computing, generative AI, OpenAI, data science, and machine learning, it positions them for leadership in the rapidly evolving global AI market.
The global AI market is projected to reach $4.6 trillion by 2040. With the rapid growth of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, Wini University represents an opportunity for Africa to claim its place on the global technological map.
According to the Chairman of WiniGroup Nigeria, Olukayode Akano, the decision to locate the university in Epe was due to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to attracting global investors to Nigeria and advancing his administration’s vision of transforming the country into a trillion-dollar economy.
Akano said the decision was also influenced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s remarkable efforts in positioning Lagos as the “California of Africa” thereby elevating its economy to the fifth largest in Africa, which is akin to California’s global ranking.
The promoters of Wini University have gained the support of traditional rulers and prominent leaders in Epe, including Oba Rafiu Balogun Elejirin of Ejinrin, in collaboration with the Lubajo-Egbe and Soje Kingdoms. These kingdoms have generously agreed to provide their ancestral lands as the permanent site for the university.
Additionally, the establishment of Wini University is expected to significantly boost Epe’s GDP, transitioning the region from an agrarian-based economy to a thriving digital economy. It will create quality job opportunities for the youths of Okeosho, Soje, and the entire Epe community.
The university, according to Akano will focus on developing technopreneurs who will play a pivotal role in transforming Lagos State into the Silicon Valley of Africa. Innovations such as robots, drones, humanoids, mobile apps, and climate change solutions will be designed and produced for both local and international markets.
“The Proposed Wini University promises to transform Lagos into a thriving ecosystem of technological advancement, attracting global partnerships, investments, and talent. It focuses on practical AI-driven solutions to prepare its students for the future,” he stated.
