In a bold move to solidify its position as Africa’s technology capital, Lagos state is set to host Nigeria’s first Artificial Intelligence-focused university, Wini University, in Epe.
The institution will concentrate on developing technopreneurs who will drive innovation and transform Lagos into the Silicon Valley of Africa.
Wini University aims to be a hub for cutting-edge technologies, with a curriculum centered on robotics, drones, humanoids, mobile applications, and climate change solutions. By equipping students with skills to tackle real-world challenges, the university seeks to position its graduates as global leaders in technological innovation. To be named Wini University, it was inspired by the world’s first Artificial Intelligence university, established in Qatar, which attracted top scholars and innovators from countries like China, India, the United States, and Europe.
The chairman of WiniGroup Nigeria, Olukayode Akano, in a press statement, said the decision to locate the university in Epe was due to president Bola Tinubu’s commitment to attracting global investors to Nigeria and advancing his administration’s vision of transforming the country into a trillion-dollar economy.
Akano said the decision was also influenced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s remarkable efforts in positioning Lagos as the “California of Africa” thereby elevating its economy to the fifth largest in Africa, which is akin to California’s global ranking.
Additionally, the establishment of Wini University is expected to significantly boost Epe’s GDP, transitioning the region from an agrarian-based economy to a thriving digital economy. It will create quality job opportunities for the youths of Okeosho, Soje, and the entire Epe community.
Further, the university, according to Akano will focus on developing technopreneurs who will play a pivotal role in transforming Lagos State into the Silicon Valley of Africa. Innovations such as robots, drones, humanoids, mobile apps, and climate change solutions will be designed and produced 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 stated.
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.
According to Wini Group, the varsity will revolutionise education in Africa and serve as the nucleus for Africa’s first Silicon Valley powered by AI. They said it aimed to build a vibrant community of world-class faculty and students passionate about leveraging AI and quantum computing to drive progress in Africa and beyond. Its mission is to create a generation of African youth who are not mere spectators in the global AI market but active players and innovators.
Also, the proposed Wini University is envisioned as Africa’s first university entirely focused on Artificial Intelligence. 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.
