The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced plans to establish six new Centres of Excellence focused on Robotics, Coding, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity within Nigerian tertiary institutions. This initiative aims to bolster the nation’s capacity in cutting-edge technology fields.
Once operational, these new centres will increase the total number of TETFund-supported Centres of Excellence from 30 to 36, strengthening the foundation’s commitment to enhancing educational standards and technological advancements in Nigeria.
During the inauguration of the TETFund’s Advisory Committee on Robotics, Coding, AI, Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity at the Fund’s headquarters in Abuja,
TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, emphasized the committee’s vital role in selecting institutions to host these new centres.
The committee will be chaired by Professor Yakubu Ochefu, the immediate past Secretary General of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.
As part of its mandate, the committee is responsible for identifying universities with demonstrable strengths and capabilities in the relevant fields. It will also establish selection criteria for candidate institutions and recommend up to six universities to host the proposed centres, ensuring a broad representation across the six geopolitical zones as mandated by the TETFund Act of 2011.
Arc. Echono underscored the national significance of this initiative, stating, “We are not only addressing issues surrounding national security, but we are also preparing future generations of our youth to contribute meaningfully to national development and to address knowledge and skills gaps on a global scale.”
This strategic move by TETFund is expected to empower Nigeria’s future workforce, equipping them with the necessary skills to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world.
“We secured Mr. President’s approval to establish at least six additional centres of excellence across the country. This is deliberate, as we aim to reflect all six geopolitical zones, while tapping into the abundant talents that exist in Nigeria.”
He further explained that the centres would be hosted exclusively by public universities, providing students and researchers with state-of-the-art facilities to drive innovation and competitiveness in emerging technological fields.
He directed that the first phrase of the committee’s work be completed in 30 days, with the panel retaining its role to guide the selected institutions in establishing and developing the centres. He tasked the committee to deliver high-quality work, reflecting the expertise and professional experience of its members.
Responding the committee chairman, Prof. Ochefu, pledged that the panel would develop clear, merit-based criteria to identify institutions with proven capacity in Robotics, Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity, while ensuring equitable representation across the six geopolitical zones in line with the provisions of the TETFund Act.
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