Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, inaugurated the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. He said it was in line with the digital skills acquisition drive of government as captured in the National Economic Development Policy and Strategy.
The centre, Pantami said, was the first of its kind in Nigeria. Pantami said the centre was launched due to the shift in the global paradigm. It’s no longer about paper qualifications, but about skills, particularly digital skills.
The centre is said to serve as a “leading hub of innovation,“ and called a “high tech skill acquisition centre.” The centre will focus on research and development, knowledge transfers and training in the areas of artificial intelligence, robotics and other emerging technologies. In addition, “the centre will create a vision for AI, develop an AI ecosystem, support data stewardship, while providing access to specialised technical skills in the country.”
The Director-General of NITDA, kashifu Inuwa, has urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the initiatives and strategies deployed by government to empower themselves.