The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Wigwe University are advancing plans for a broad-based collaboration focused on artificial intelligence (AI), smart agriculture and digital capacity building, following high-level discussions held in Abuja.
The engagement brought together senior NITDA officials and the Vice-Chancellor of Wigwe University, Marwan Al-Akaidi, who outlined the institution’s ambition to position itself as a leading centre for transformative research and innovation in Africa. Established under the vision of the late Herbert Wigwe, the university aims to unlock Nigeria’s vast talent pool through strong partnerships with government and industry.
Professor Al-Akaidi noted that while Nigeria is rich in human capital, it often lacks the structured platforms needed to harness that potential effectively. He emphasised the university’s commitment to addressing this gap through cutting-edge research, particularly in AI-driven solutions tailored to local realities.
He revealed that the institution is already running an AI for Health initiative in Nigeria with a team of researchers and is working toward establishing a full-scale AI centre comparable to one he previously helped develop in Abu Dhabi. Despite financial setbacks following Herbert Wigwe’s passing, he stressed that the vision to build a globally competitive, locally relevant “Nigerian AI” remains a priority.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted opportunities for AI-enabled agricultural innovation, citing the university’s location in Rivers State as a strategic advantage. Surrounded by farming communities, Wigwe University intends to deploy AI solutions to improve livestock management, optimise land use, enhance food processing and increase agricultural productivity. He added that AI could also play a transformative role in healthcare delivery, particularly in disease diagnosis and management.
Responding, NITDA representatives welcomed the proposals, describing them as strongly aligned with the Agency’s strategic roadmap. They pointed to existing initiatives such as the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and the National Adaptive Village for Smart Agriculture as platforms for immediate collaboration.
NITDA officials reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to partnerships that translate into measurable outcomes, noting that innovation thrives through shared expertise rather than isolated efforts. They stressed that research, entrepreneurship, innovation and knowledge development remain central pillars of the Agency’s mandate.
The Director of Research and Development at NITDA further noted that the Agency is building a technology research ecosystem aimed at positioning Nigeria within the top quartile of global research performance. He observed that Wigwe University’s research interests—spanning AI, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, blockchain, IoT and advanced manufacturing—mirror NITDA’s priority focus areas.
Discussions also touched on expanding access to education through virtual learning platforms, enabling students across Nigeria to benefit from Wigwe University’s programmes regardless of location. NITDA’s Digital Literacy and Capacity Building team reiterated the importance of equipping students with practical, workforce-ready digital skills, stressing that universities must produce graduates capable of thriving in a technology-driven economy.
Professor Al-Akaidi underscored the need for continuous curriculum review in computing and engineering disciplines to ensure relevance in a fast-evolving technological landscape. He argued that strong research foundations are essential for meaningful teaching and that Nigerian universities must nurture graduates who become job creators rather than job seekers.
The meeting concluded with both institutions agreeing to move beyond dialogue into action by establishing dedicated teams to define workstreams in AI research, smart agriculture, digital literacy, virtual education and emerging technologies.
With shared ambition and aligned priorities, NITDA and Wigwe University appear poised to forge a partnership capable of significantly advancing Nigeria’s digital and technological future.
