TETFund Launches Advisory Committee to Expand AI, Cybersecurity and Coding in Nigerian Polytechnic and  Universities

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has inaugurated a new advisory committee to accelerate the development of robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity programmes across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arch. Sonny Echono, announced the initiative during the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja. According to him, the move is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to strengthen technological capacity within the Nigerian higher education system and equip students with modern digital skills required in today’s global economy.

Echono explained that the establishment of the committee reflects TETFund’s commitment to improving the impact of its interventions in areas that are vital to national growth, particularly technology, innovation, and digital education.

He noted that digital skills such as coding, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and machine learning are among the most sought-after competencies in the global job market. By expanding these areas in Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions, the country can prepare young graduates to compete in the global digital economy while addressing critical national development needs.

According to him, the initiative will also contribute to national security and economic development by producing a new generation of highly skilled technology professionals capable of filling emerging skills gaps within Nigeria and internationally.

Echono revealed that TETFund currently supervises about 30 centres of excellence across Nigerian tertiary institutions. However, most of these centres focus on traditional research disciplines, while emerging technology fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity remain underdeveloped.

To close this gap, he disclosed that TETFund obtained presidential approval to establish six new centres of excellence dedicated to advanced digital technologies. These centres will focus on robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity training.

The centres are expected to be strategically located across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to ensure equal access and national representation. Echono stated that the selection process was carefully designed to reflect the presence of academic talent and existing technological capacity across the country.

He added that TETFund has already compiled a list of tertiary institutions offering programmes related to cybersecurity and digital technology, which will guide the process of selecting institutions that will host the new centres.

The newly inaugurated advisory committee has been tasked with identifying suitable institutions capable of hosting the centres, designing capacity-building strategies, and recommending measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme.

The committee will also provide policy guidance, recommend best practices, and develop operational frameworks that will maximize the impact of the new technology centres within Nigeria’s higher education sector.

Professor Yakubu Ochefu, former Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, will serve as chairman of the advisory committee alongside other experts drawn from academia, regulatory agencies, and the defence sector.

The committee’s responsibilities include identifying tertiary institutions with strong academic capacity in robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity. Members will also develop selection criteria for participating institutions and recommend up to six universities or tertiary institutions that will host the proposed centres of excellence.

Echono stated that the expected benefits of the initiative include job creation, innovation, and long-term economic growth. He emphasized that the federal government has already approved substantial investments to support the development of the centres and urged the committee to ensure proper coordination and implementation of the project.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Professor Ochefu expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in the members and described the team as a group of experienced scholars and professionals committed to advancing Nigeria’s technological future.

He said the committee views Nigerian universities as institutions that should actively contribute to innovation, research, and national development rather than merely serving as centres for knowledge consumption.

According to him, the committee’s assignment provides an opportunity to align Nigeria’s tertiary education system with global technological trends while strengthening the country’s capacity to participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Ochefu noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity are now essential components of modern national development. Countries that fail to invest heavily in these areas risk falling behind in global competitiveness.

He assured that the committee would strictly follow its mandate and utilize its collective expertise to deliver practical recommendations that will strengthen technology education and research within Nigeria’s universities and tertiary institutions.

The chairman also requested adequate support and resources from TETFund to ensure that the committee can carry out its responsibilities efficiently and deliver results within the expected timeframe.

The advisory committee is expected to play a critical role in shaping curriculum development, encouraging partnerships between universities and technology industries, and promoting advanced research that aligns with Nigeria’s national development priorities.

Through international collaboration and improved research capacity, the initiative aims to position Nigerian universities as competitive players in the rapidly evolving global technology ecosystem while preparing students for high-demand careers in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, and digital innovation.