C’ttee on AI & Robotics Centre visits minister; NOUN designated as the host

The Project Implementation Committee (PIC) on the proposed Senator Oluremi Tinubu Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics Centre, has paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu in Abuja.

The high-powered delegation comprising of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), and the FGN-Technical Working Group (PIC), visited the minister to formally submit document regarding the proposed AI & Robotics Centre.

A statement from the minister’s office on Wednesday said the proposed centre will be located at the premises of NOUN, Abuja and will be a gender-focused International Centre of Excellence dedicated exclusively to Nigerian women and children.

“It is designed to nurture the potentials of exceptionally gifted young women and children, serving as a world-class incubation hub that will place Nigeria at the cutting edge of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and other emerging technologies,” it said.

According to the statement, during the meeting, the Project Implementation Committee (PIC), led by its Executive Director and Project Coordinator, Dr. M.A. Ibrahim, briefed the minister on the consultations and deliberations held over the past nine (9) months to evolve the project.

He assured the minister of the committee’s unwavering loyalty and firm commitment towards the successful realisation of the centre, also tagged the Aso Generation-Next Hub.

Responding, Dr. Sununu described the initiative as timely and in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in empowering women and children through innovation, technology, and capacity building.

The minister pledged the ministry’s readiness to work closely with the stakeholders to ensure the effective take-off and sustainability of the project.

It added that the courtesy call provided a platform for fruitful exchanges on strategies to make the proposed centre a reality and a milestone in Nigeria’s quest for technological advancement and inclusive development.