Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated that Nigeria is well positioned to spearhead Africa’s advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI), using the technology to drive innovation and accelerate economic development across the region.
In a statement released on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima described AI as a highly influential general-purpose innovation shaping the modern world. He noted that it has the ability to enhance human capability, boost creativity, and significantly expand opportunities across multiple sectors.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, the Vice President spoke on Monday in Lagos at the unveiling of the AI University Innovation Pod (UniPod) at the University of Lagos. He emphasized that Nigeria must actively engage with the growing AI revolution instead of remaining inactive. He called for the development of strong digital systems that empower innovators, policymakers, and businesses to create solutions tailored to local challenges.
Shettima explained that AI has wide-ranging applications in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial services. According to him, the technology can create new opportunities for economic growth if properly utilized. However, he stressed that such progress depends on building systems that are fair, inclusive, and aligned with national values. He expressed confidence that Nigeria can take a leading role across Africa in this field.
He further highlighted the government’s focus on investing in digital infrastructure, fostering innovation-driven environments, and ensuring responsible use of AI technologies. These efforts, he said, are aimed at transforming Nigeria from a consumer of foreign technology into a nation that develops its own knowledge, solutions, and innovations.
At the launch of the UniPod initiative, Shettima spoke about the evolving role of universities, describing them as centres for innovation, entrepreneurship, and national progress. He stated that higher institutions should move beyond traditional teaching and become hubs where ideas are developed into real-world solutions that address societal needs.
He noted that initiatives like the UniPod create opportunities for collaboration among students, researchers, and industry experts, enabling them to design solutions that directly respond to the country’s economic and developmental challenges.
The Vice President also acknowledged the contributions of development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the University of Lagos, and the Lagos State Government. He explained that the project is part of a broader plan to establish similar innovation hubs across the country.
Shettima said the government is committed to building multiple institutional frameworks that will position Nigeria to compete effectively on the global stage. He added that progress would be steady but guided by a clear and deliberate strategy.
Meanwhile, the Resident Representative of UNDP in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, commended the initiative, noting that it equips young Nigerians not only for the future but also for active participation in shaping it. She explained that the program connects learning with opportunity, innovation with enterprise, and talent with national growth.
Attafuah stated that the initiative positions Nigeria for long-term competitiveness and inclusive economic expansion while strengthening its global standing. She reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Nigeria, describing the initiative as an important step in the country’s technological and developmental progress.
