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Wini Group to Establish Africa’s First AI University in Nigeria

As part of a strategy to enhance Artificial Intelligence (AI) development across Africa, the first AI-focused university in Nigeria is set to be built in Epe, Lagos.

The university is designed to transform Africa into a leading technological hub, tackle unemployment by providing Nigerian youth with advanced AI skills, and position the country as a key player in the global AI industry.

Named Wini University, the institution draws inspiration from Qatar’s AI university, the first of its kind globally, which attracted prominent scholars and innovators from countries like China, India, the United States, and Europe.

The initiative began in 2016 when a group of visionaries from Boston and Nigeria united around a shared goal. After years of planning, securing support from the National University Commission (NUC), and gathering backing, the vision for Wini University is now becoming a reality.

Wini Group emphasizes that the university will revolutionize education in Africa and serve as the center of Africa’s first AI-powered Silicon Valley. Their goal is to build a vibrant community of world-class faculty and students committed to using AI and quantum computing to drive progress in Africa and globally. Their mission is to cultivate a generation of African youths who are not just participants in the global AI market but active innovators and leaders.

Additionally, the proposed Wini University will be Africa’s first university dedicated entirely to Artificial Intelligence. This initiative is more than just an academic venture; it represents a bold step toward transforming Lagos into Africa’s Silicon Valley, a hub where technology and innovation work to address real-world challenges.

In 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the country leading in AI would emerge as the next global superpower. Over a decade later, this forecast continues to materialize as AI becomes central to industries and human progress.

The university will empower Nigerian youths to create innovative solutions that will reshape industries and economies. By equipping students with knowledge in fields like blockchain, cloud computing, generative AI, OpenAI, data science, and machine learning, it aims to position them for leadership in the rapidly evolving global AI market.

The global AI industry is projected to grow to $4.6 trillion by 2040. As Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies rapidly expand, Wini University presents an opportunity for Africa to secure its place on the global technological stage.

Olukayode Akano, Chairman of WiniGroup Nigeria, explained that the decision to place the university in Epe was influenced by President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to attracting global investors and advancing his vision of making Nigeria a trillion-dollar economy.

Akano also noted that the choice of location was motivated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s remarkable efforts to establish Lagos as the “California of Africa,” elevating its economy to the fifth largest in Africa, similar to California’s global ranking.

The promoters of Wini University have received support from traditional rulers and prominent leaders in Epe, including HRM Oba Rafiu Balogun, Elejirin of Ejinrin, in partnership with the Lubajo-Egbe and Soje Kingdoms. These kingdoms have generously agreed to offer their ancestral lands as the permanent site for the university.

Moreover, the creation of Wini University is expected to significantly increase Epe’s GDP, shifting the region from an agrarian economy to a thriving digital economy. It will provide high-quality job opportunities for the youth in Okeosho, Soje, and the entire Epe community.

According to Akano, the university will focus on nurturing technopreneurs who will play a crucial role in transforming Lagos into the Silicon Valley of Africa. Innovations such as robots, drones, humanoids, mobile apps, and climate change solutions will be developed for both local and international markets.

“The 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,” he said.

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