Nigeria is set to establish an institute dedicated to studying robotics and artificial intelligence, led by Professor Bart Nnaji, founder and Chairman of the Geometric Power Group.
Nnaji, a former Minister of Science and Technology and later Minister of Power, announced the initiative at a lecture marking the 100th anniversary of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, owned by the Catholic Church in Anambra and Enugu states.
Nnaji, who completed his postdoctoral fellowship in Artificial Intelligence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and later became a Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Director of the Robotics and AI Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, shared his excitement about the institute’s development.
Before his tenure at the University of Pittsburgh, Nnaji led a research consortium funded by the United States National Science Foundation. He revealed that the federal government had thoroughly scrutinized the establishment of the institute through the office of the Attorney General and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The application for the institute was submitted in 2017, and after four years of evaluation, the government concluded that such an advanced facility was in Nigeria’s national interest.
The institute’s mission, according to Nnaji, is to engage in computer science education focusing on intelligent machines and robotics. The institute will issue certifications to students, train them in hardware design for autonomous tasks, and conduct research in developing algorithms that enable intelligent behavior with minimal human intervention.
Dike Ejike, a mechanical engineer and power consultant based in Abuja, expressed his admiration for the initiative, noting that it is remarkable that the institute’s establishment precedes the global revolution triggered by generative AI technologies.
He pointed out that since the launch of ChatGPT by Sam Altman and OpenAI in November 2022, the way the world learns, conducts research, and does business has been transformed.
Ejike emphasized the importance of supporting the institute as it will play a key role in accelerating Nigeria’s participation in the AI race that is reshaping global development.
While Nnaji did not provide details on the institute’s location or structure, Ejike urged all Nigerians and the government to back this vision. He stressed that the institute’s efforts could galvanize Nigerians to fully engage in the technological developments shaping the 21st century.
Nnaji also disclosed that the Bells University of Technology in Otta, Ogun State, where he serves as Governing Council chairman, has recently approved the creation of an AI center. He called on the Nigerian government to prioritize Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering (STEM) subjects as a means for Nigeria to leapfrog its development, referencing Vietnam’s success in producing 90,000 STEM graduates annually. Despite this, Nnaji noted, the demand for tech talent by global companies like Nvidia and Apple continues to outstrip supply.
He highlighted Nvidia’s remarkable success, noting that the company, founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang, originally from Taiwan, made $15.3 billion in profit last quarter alone. In comparison, Nnaji pointed out, Nigeria—a nation of over 200 million people—earns no more than $25 billion annually from crude oil exports. He argued that this stark contrast illustrates the need for Nigeria to invest more in science and technology to strengthen its economic position.
Nnaji also stressed the importance of integrating world-class economics and management programs into Nigeria’s educational system to increase competitiveness. He noted that even top scientific organizations, like NASA, require exceptional managers to operate effectively. Business leaders, he argued, need at least a basic understanding of global economics to succeed in today’s interconnected world.
As a recipient of Nigeria’s highest academic honor, the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM), Nnaji encouraged Bigard Memorial Seminary’s authorities to upgrade the academic status of the institution. He proposed that after eight years of full-time, intensive study, students should earn at least a licentiate or master’s degree instead of just preparing for a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology. He pointed to the International School of Theology at Atakwu, Enugu, where Catholic priesthood candidates graduate with a master’s degree from Duquesne University after completing a four-year philosophy program followed by a four-year theology curriculum.
Nnaji’s call for an academic upgrade at Bigard Memorial Seminary underscores his broader vision of educational reform in Nigeria. By advancing both technical and academic education, he believes Nigeria can better position itself for the future, leveraging its human resources to become a global player in the fields of robotics, AI, and beyond.
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