The National Universities Commission (NUC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Daimlas Corporation, a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, to establish a comprehensive AI ecosystem across Nigerian universities.
This groundbreaking collaboration aims to equip academic institutions with cutting-edge AI resources, research opportunities, and a platform for AI-driven education.
At the official signing of the MoU in Abuja for the NUC AI Centre of Excellence, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, expressed the Commission’s commitment to the project’s success.
“Based on the explanation and what they say, the next four years at least. It’s enough time for us to see, review, and ensure that we are prepared. You know, it’s very good.
“Because at times, it’s like a gauge, so to say. And when you start it, then you see that you cannot do without it. And you are prepared to pay the one-off cost.
“So, I think it’s a very good thing. And we are happy that we are established already in many institutions that are well-known around the world. So, I must say that we are very happy that we willingly signed this thing,” the Executive Secretary said.
Joseph Wehbe, CEO of Daimlas Corporation, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, stated that the journey began five years ago, driven by the realisation that AI is transforming every aspect of society and academia.
According to him, universities in the US, as well as federal states, local governments, and community colleges, are all striving to define their AI strategies. The solution, he explained, is a platform that integrates the entire AI ecosystem.
“In a fully functioning AI ecosystem, you have AI research centres, AI labs, AI for entrepreneurs, AI for kids, AI for platform companies, and AI for small businesses. When you bring all these ecosystems together, you create great pathways for everyone who wants to participate in the AI economy. The taxonomy of an AI ecosystem is different from that of an ICT ecosystem.
“Why? Because in AI, academia is at the heart of the research that drives advancements in AI. The platform we built for the NUC is designed to create pathways for every university in Nigeria that wants to participate in AI. They create profiles at the management and leadership levels, as well as for students and alumni of these universities.
“Anyone with an AI goal in mind can create a profile, and the platform will guide them to achieve their goal. Every stakeholder has a different objective in AI. Some may aim to establish an AI bachelor’s degree programme, set up an AI lab, develop a master’s programme, or secure an internship in AI. The platform facilitates these opportunities for different stakeholders,” he said.
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Wehbe noted that Daimlas Corporation currently operates five AI ecosystems globally in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., California, and Saudi Arabia. In Nigeria, he added, the company is working with two ecosystems under the Federal Ministry of Innovation.
“So, universities in Nigeria that wish to connect to the Massachusetts Corridor, the New Jersey Corridor, or the California AI Corridor can all access the platform in this way. We look forward to engaging with universities and guiding them as they embark on their AI journey because it is a complex process.
“Some universities, out of fear, might exclude AI from their offerings. But the reality is that the job market is changing so fast, and many entry-level jobs that graduates would typically get are being replaced by AI. Whether it’s marketing or law, AI can now perform these roles at a much lower cost than hiring new graduates.
“So, these young talents coming out of university must be prepared for an AI-driven future. Many jobs of the future have not yet been created because so many entry-level roles are being eliminated. AI does not sleep, and it does not complain about being a new graduate,” he added.
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