FG launches university innovation pods to train 500,000 in AI, empower 2,000 startups

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, is launching University Innovation Pods. These are specialized spaces at universities where Nigerian students can develop their ideas into startups and learn valuable skills, such as artificial intelligence.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima will unveil the first UniPod at the University of Lagos on April 7, with plans to expand the programme to over 50 universities nationwide. The initiative aims to train 500,000 young Nigerians in AI and support up to 2,000 startups.

Deputy chief of staff to the president Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia announced the initiative at a press conference on Wednesday, describing it as “not merely an infrastructure intervention but a deliberate step towards building a coherent national innovation system, one that links talent, research, industry, and investment more intentionally”.

UniPod was developed to address the disconnect between formal education and the labour market, serving as a bridge between knowledge acquired in universities and its practical application to real social and economic problems.

The 6 universities selected for the first rollout

UNDP Nigeria resident representative Elsie Attafuah said five other institutions will join the University of Lagos in the first cohort, each focusing on sector-specific innovation areas.

Nasarawa State University in Keffi will focus on mining technology, while the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom will concentrate on green and blue economy solutions. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike, Abia State, will target manufacturing and trade, while Benue State University in Makurdi will focus on agriculture and food systems.

The University of Maiduguri will specialise in resilience and recovery, addressing challenges specific to Nigeria’s northeast region.

Attafuah described the six institutions as “the first cohort of a national innovation network spanning all geopolitical zones”, noting that with over 60% of Nigeria’s approximately 220 million people under the age of 25, the country holds one of the most desirable demographic assets in the world.

Similar read: FG to transform Nigerian universities into tech and innovation hubs under $2bn Project BRIDGE

The programme positions universities as a key pipeline for tech talent and innovation, potentially addressing Nigeria’s skills gap in emerging technologies while creating pathways for youth employment through entrepreneurship.

From classrooms to commercial viability

The UniPods will provide physical infrastructure, mentorship, industry connections, and access to funding for student-led startups. The focus on AI skills reflects global demand for expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.

By targeting 500,000 learners and 2,000 startups, the programme represents one of Nigeria’s largest coordinated efforts to transform university students into entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

The initiative aligns with broader government efforts to reposition Nigerian universities as innovation hubs rather than just certification centres.

Similar programmes include the Student Venture Capital Grant, which recently disbursed ₦50 million each to 45 tertiary students, and the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under the $2 billion Project BRIDGE plan.

The April 7 launch at the University of Lagos will serve as a proof of concept before nationwide expansion across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

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