Nigeria is set to launch a new institute dedicated to the study and advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), spearheaded by Professor Bart Nnaji, founder and chairman of the Geometric Power Group. Nnaji, a former Minister of Science and Technology as well as Minister of Power, made the announcement during a lecture marking the upcoming 100th anniversary of Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu.
The institute will focus on educating and certifying experts in areas such as intelligent machine technologies, autonomous systems design, and the development of intelligent algorithms with minimal human intervention. According to Nnaji, the proposal for the institute was first submitted in 2017, and it took four years for the government to approve the project, recognising its national importance.
Nnaji stressed the need for Nigeria to prioritise Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to foster economic growth and technological innovation. He cited Vietnam as a successful example, producing 90,000 STEM graduates annually, and urged the Nigerian government to create a competitive environment for global technology companies by investing in STEM talent.
In his speech, Nnaji also highlighted the importance of introducing world-class economics and management programs in Nigeria to improve the country’s global competitiveness. Drawing a comparison with Nvidia, which recently made $15.3 billion in profits, Nnaji pointed out that Nigeria’s annual earnings from crude oil are just $25 billion, underscoring the potential benefits of diversifying the economy into technology and innovation.
Furthermore, Nnaji encouraged Bigard Memorial Seminary to consider expanding its academic offerings by introducing postgraduate degrees and affiliating with both Nigerian and international universities. He suggested that the institution explore the possibility of becoming a full-fledged university, aimed at enhancing academic standards after a century of educational service.
