Former Science and Technology Minister Professor Barth Nnaji has declared his intention to create Nigeria’s first institute specifically focused on robots and artificial intelligence (AI). This historic development comes after years of government review and preparation.
Speaking at a lecture for Bigard Memorial Seminary’s centenary in Enugu, Nnaji disclosed that the federal government has finally approved the institute, which had been being considered since 2017. It was determined after four years of discussion that such an institute is essential to Nigeria’s future.
Training students in the field of intelligent systems, from robotics to autonomous machines, and awarding certifications upon completion will be the institute’s main goal. Courses in AI hardware design, autonomous job execution, and algorithms that let computers learn with little assistance from humans will be available at this institute.
Nnaji underlined the importance of STEM education in Nigeria, even though the precise site and opening date of the institute are yet unknown. He cited nations like Vietnam, which generates tens of thousands of STEM graduates every year, but still struggles to find enough skilled workers to satisfy the expectations of multinational IT behemoths like Apple and Nvidia. Nnaji is well-positioned to spearhead this important project thanks to his broad experience in AI, which includes a postdoctoral stint at MIT. He promotes STEM as a way for Nigeria to close the talent production gap and achieve notable technical advancement.
