The Wini Group has secured support from Lagos State to establish Nigeria’s first university dedicated entirely to Artificial Intelligence in Epe, near Lagos.

The institution, named Wini University, aims to position Nigeria as a leading player in global technological innovation.

In a statement, Wini Group said the university would serve as a hub for technological advancement, equipping Nigerian youths with cutting-edge skills in AI, quantum computing, blockchain, and other emerging technologies.

The initiative seeks to address unemployment and prepare graduates to compete and lead in the global AI market.

The decision to site the university in Epe received the backing of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose administration has worked to position the state as a tech and innovation hub.

Wini Group Chairman, Olukayode Akano, also credited President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to attracting global investors and fostering economic transformation as a key factor in the project’s development.

The group said Wini University is expected to significantly boost the local economy by transitioning Epe from an agrarian-based economy to a thriving digital economy.

The initiative is projected to create quality jobs for youths across the region and strengthen Lagos State’s position as an innovation leader in Africa.

The university draws inspiration from the world’s first AI-focused university in Qatar, which attracted scholars and innovators from regions, including the United States, Europe, China, and India. Wini University aims to replicate this success by bringing top scholars and global partnerships to Nigeria.

“Proposed Wini University promises to transform Lagos into a thriving ecosystem of technological advancement, attracting global partnerships, investments, and talent. It focuses on practical AI-driven solutions to prepare its students for the future,” local media reports quoted Akano as saying.

GIK/APA