In a move that cements the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as the epicenter of Nigeria’s technological future, the institution has announced the appointment of Professor Chika Yinka-Banjo as the pioneer Director of its Artificial Intelligence University Innovation Pod (AI UniPod).
The appointment comes at a critical juncture as Nigeria officially flags off a massive ₦30 billion national innovation project. This federal initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), aims to establish specialized “UniPods” across the country’s six geopolitical zones to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial enterprise.
Professor Yinka-Banjo, a renowned expert in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, is no stranger to the landscape. Prior to this role, she served as the coordinator of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab (AIRLAB) at UNILAG, where she led groundbreaking research in intelligent systems and autonomous robotics.
Her tenure, which officially began on March 16, 2026, will see her overseeing the university’s flagship AI hub. The AI UniPod is designed to be more than just a lab; it is a “startup factory” where AI-driven solutions for health, fintech, and agriculture are developed into viable commercial products.
The national rollout represents a decisive shift under the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. By investing over ₦30 billion into these hubs, the government intends to Foster Sovereign AI Capability that is to Reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign software by developing home-grown AI models. Commercialize Research that is to creating a direct pathway from university laboratories to the marketplace and lastly Generate High-Tech Jobs that is equipping students with the skills required to thrive in a global digital economy.
During the official launch ceremony at UNILAG earlier this month, Vice President Kashim Shettima (represented by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia) praised the appointment and the launch of the innovation marketplace. He noted that the UniPods represent a “national innovation infrastructure” that will empower young Nigerians to solve local problems using frontier technologies.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola hailed the development as a validation of UNILAG’s commitment to being a “future-ready” institution. With Professor Yinka-Banjo at the helm, the AI UniPod is poised to become the primary engine for Nigeria’s transition into a high-tech, AI-driven economy.
