Nigeria has taken a major step in its push to build a domestic artificial intelligence ecosystem as the University of Lagos (UNILAG) appoints Professor Chika Yinka-Banjo as pioneer Director of its Artificial Intelligence University Innovation Pod (AI UniPod), a flagship initiative backed by over ₦30 billion in public investment.
The appointment announced by UNILAG, comes as the Federal Government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), formally launched the national rollout of UniPods, positioning universities as hubs for innovation, enterprise, and job creation.
Professor Yinka-Banjo’s appointment, effective from March 16, 2026 to March 15, 2028, places her at the helm of Nigeria’s flagship AI innovation platform. A Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and coordinator of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab (AIRLAB) at UNILAG, she is expected to lead the development of the UniPod as a centre for research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world AI applications, according to the university.
The Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, says the appointment reflects the university’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge research and contributing to national development through innovation.
The leadership announcement coincides with the official launch of the AI UniPod at UNILAG, marking the first in a series of innovation hubs to be activated across Nigeria under a coordinated national framework.
“This momentous occasion,” according to the UNILAG Vice Chancellor, “represents the beginning of a transformative endeavor that will shape the future of scholarship and drive national progress. We at the University of Lagos are delighted and honoured to be contributing to this movement that will transform not just our country but Africa and the world. Artificial Intelligence is a pivotal force reshaping our world. Its potential to augment human capabilities, accelerate scientific discovery, and solve complex global challenges is immense. This hub, therefore, represents our unwavering commitment to harnessing this transformative power for the betterment of humanity.”
AI UniPod: ₦30 billion backing for national innovation system
The UniPod initiative is backed by more than ₦30 billion in public funding, supporting the first cohort of hubs distributed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and aligned with priority economic sectors.
In addition to the AI UniPod in Lagos, specialised hubs are being established at institutions including Benue State University (Agriculture and Food Systems), University of Maiduguri (Resilience and Recovery), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (Manufacturing and Trade), University of Uyo (Green and Blue Economy), Nasarawa State University (Mining Technology), and Ahmadu Bello University (Industrial and Government Technology).
The rollout signals a shift from policy articulation to implementation, with government officials describing the initiative as part of a broader strategy to reposition universities as engines of economic productivity.
At the launch, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Ibrahim Hadejia, says the UniPod framework reflects a deliberate policy shift in how higher education institutions are being positioned within Nigeria’s development architecture.
According to him, universities are no longer seen solely as centres of instruction, but as platforms for production, enterprise, and national development, where students, researchers, and industry practitioners collaborate to develop solutions to real economic challenges.
Officials say the initiative is designed to create a structured pathway from research to innovation, enterprise, and job creation, addressing longstanding gaps between academia and industry.
AI UniPod anchors Nigeria’s frontier technology ambitions
The AI UniPod at UNILAG is designated as the flagship platform for building Nigeria’s sovereign capabilities in artificial intelligence and related frontier technologies.
Government officials say the focus on AI reflects the growing importance of digital systems in shaping global competitiveness, with countries investing in innovation ecosystems and talent pipelines expected to define future industrial growth.
Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, notes that universities have historically served as centres of knowledge, but initiatives such as UniPod are designed to strengthen their role as engines of creation, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship through applied technology.
The UniPod programme is being implemented through a government-led and government-financed model supported by multiple ministries, including the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, alongside the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
The United Nations Development Programme is providing technical support, global expertise, and system integration, reflecting a partnership approach to building a coordinated national innovation ecosystem.
According to Elsie G. Attafuah, the initiative is designed not as a collection of isolated innovation hubs but as a connected system linking knowledge, enterprise, and economic opportunity.
Officials describe the UniPods as operational platforms for innovation discovery, startup incubation, research commercialisation, and industry collaboration. Early-stage ventures are already emerging within the system, indicating an immediate focus on translating ideas into market-ready solutions.
Sonny S. T. Echono, Executive Secretary for TETFund, says the hubs are designed as “collision spaces” where researchers, engineers, students, and industry players interact to drive industrial transformation and bridge the gap between academia and the market.
The initiative is also aligned with Nigeria’s broader human capital development agenda, with policymakers emphasising the need to equip young people with skills relevant to emerging technologies.
Lagos positions itself as innovation hub
At the sub-national level, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, represented by Olatunbosun Alake, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, says the AI UniPod is launching within an ecosystem already focused on innovation and digital growth.
State officials note that the success of the initiative will depend on its ability to function as a dynamic system that connects talent, industry, and investment, rather than as a standalone facility.
Also speaking at the launch, Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, represented by Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, describes the UniPod initiative as a step toward positioning Nigeria as a hub for digital innovation and emerging technologies.
He notes that beyond infrastructure, the programme is focused on unlocking the potential of young people by providing access to advanced skills and opportunities within the innovation ecosystem.
Outlook for Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem
The appointment of Professor Yinka-Banjo and the launch of the AI UniPod mark an early phase in what officials describe as a long-term strategy to build a knowledge-driven economy.
UNILAG appoints Professor Yinka-Banjo to head AI UniPod as Nigeria launches ₦30bn-backed innovation hubs to drive research, startups, and digital economy growth. Image credit: Image FX.By combining leadership, funding, and institutional frameworks, the UniPod initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to develop homegrown technologies, support enterprise growth, and enhance competitiveness in the global digital economy.
As the rollout expands to additional universities nationwide, attention is expected to focus on how effectively the hubs translate research into commercial outcomes and contribute to job creation across sectors.
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