The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has called on universities in Nigeria to adopt robust sustainability models in their IT Innovation hubs, taking inspiration from the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Inuwa made this appeal during a visit to NITDA’s IT Innovation Hub at UNILAG, where he was warmly received by Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), and Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, the Director of the Hub.
Recognizing the significant impact of information technology on society, Inuwa emphasized the importance of universities effectively utilizing IT hubs in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to leverage the full potential of emerging technologies and enhance productivity. He commended UNILAG for opening its hub to everyone with innovative ideas, highlighting the potential for such initiatives and collaborations to address challenges faced by the country.
Expressing enthusiasm about leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics to build seamless systems, Inuwa emphasized their potential applications in social justice, criminal justice, and service distribution.
Inuwa lauded the optimal utilization of the UNILAG IT Innovation Hub, which has trained and incubated over 1,200 individuals. He encouraged other hubs, including those that NITDA has donated to five other universities, to scale up their activities and make the most of the facilities provided. Additionally, Inuwa mentioned that NITDA is constructing more IT Innovation Hubs outside of universities to accommodate innovative minds and contribute to wealth creation and economic value.
Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa expressed the University’s gratitude to NITDA for donating the IT Innovation Hub building, aligning with UNILAG’s aspirations to become a prominent player in Nigeria’s emerging digital landscape. She emphasized the connection between the traditional curriculum and the university’s drive for innovation.
Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa provided an overview of the hub’s programs, activities, and achievements. He highlighted that a significant number of the over 1,200 individuals trained at the facility have gone on to make commendable contributions to Nigeria’s digital space. Dr. Odumuyiwa also noted that the hub has attracted over 20 million naira in voluntary sponsorships and is open to tech enthusiasts of all ages, as it aims to develop the critical human resources necessary for Nigeria’s emerging technology sector.
