The first artificial intelligence (AI)-focused university is coming to Africa as part of the initiative to drive the continent’s technological revolution.
The pioneers, Wini Group, have finalised plans to establish the university in Epe, a region of Lagos, Nigeria.
The goal of Wini University is to make the continent a global centre for technological innovation, combat unemployment by giving young Nigerians advanced AI skills, and establish the country as a prominent player in the global AI market.
According to Olukayode Akano, chairman of WiniGroup Nigeria, the organisation was influenced by Qatar’s establishment of the first artificial intelligence university in history, which drew leading academics and creative thinkers from China, India, the US, and Europe.
He said, “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 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.
“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.
By 2040, the global AI market is expected to grow to a value of $4.6 trillion, he said.
He believed that Wini University offered Africa a chance to assert its position on the world technology map given the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s explosive technological advancements. Wini Group, meanwhile, is hopeful that the university would transform African education and act as the foundation for the continent’s first AI-powered Silicon Valley.