Ilishan-Remo, Ogun — In a significant move to position Nigeria at the forefront of technological innovation, New Horizons Nigeria, a leading ICT training institute, has inaugurated a ₦1.5 billion, 2,000-seat Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resource Empowerment Centre at Babcock University.
The launch formed part of the weeklong celebrations marking Babcock’s 23rd undergraduate and 14th postgraduate convocation ceremonies, running from July 20 to 27.
Speaking at the event, the Founder and CEO of New Horizons Nigeria, Mr. Tim Akano, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the nation’s digital future.
“The world is shifting rapidly toward Artificial Intelligence. We want to lead that transformation,” Akano said. “Beyond the infrastructure, we’ve equipped this centre with 300 high-end, all-in-one customized systems—each valued at nearly ₦1 million—as well as robotics and AI components.”
Akano urged students and institutions to embrace AI wholeheartedly, likening it to the transformative power of electricity.
“When electricity was introduced, no one imagined how deeply it would touch every part of our lives. AI is today’s electricity,” he said. “My personal goal is to be the hub for Africa’s technological renaissance.”
He noted that AI is now integrated across various industries—medicine, law, pharmacy, logistics, aviation, and transportation—highlighting the global shift to automation and intelligent systems.
The centre also features an “innovation corner” designed to inspire creativity, modeled after the story of Thomas Edison finding inspiration under a tree. A 120-seat outdoor space has also been built to encourage student collaboration and deeper peer learning.
Akano revealed that New Horizons Nigeria currently partners with six universities—including Babcock, Bowen, and Redeemer’s—offering them heavily subsidized training programs. At Babcock, the institute is covering 90% of training costs.
However, he noted that resistance to adopting emerging technologies remains a challenge among many higher institutions and called for urgent change.
Babcock University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo, welcomed the development, expressing hope that the facility would accelerate the university’s transition to a fully digital learning environment.
“Today’s employers seek not just knowledge but skills,” he said. “Digital literacy drives every profession now. This centre will equip our students to compete confidently in the global job market.”
Prof. Tayo also lauded the spirit of collaboration that brought the centre to life, quoting the adage: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
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