A technology-powered Nigeria can only be built on the foundation of strong, forward-looking academic institutions, according to a keynote speaker at the 35th and 36th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Jos, which also marked the institution’s 50th anniversary.
Delivering the convocation lecture, the speaker described the occasion as a “special honour,” noting that the event represented a return to the university that shaped their intellectual foundation.
“Returning to my alma mater was deeply personal,” the lecturer said. “The University of Jos played a defining role in my academic and professional journey.”
The speaker expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Tanko Ishaya, and the university’s leadership for the invitation and warm reception.
In the lecture, titled “Building a Prosperous Nigeria: Academic Institutions and the Architecture of a Technology-Powered Society,” the speaker emphasized the central role of universities in Nigeria’s development, describing them as engines of research, innovation, and talent development.
“Our universities must move beyond traditional teaching roles to become drivers of innovation and problem-solving,” the lecturer said. “Knowledge produced in academic institutions must translate into real-world impact.”
A key focus of the lecture was the need for stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and government, which was described as essential for national development and global competitiveness.
In a major announcement during the event, the speaker disclosed the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing a National Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence at the University of Jos.
According to the lecturer, the proposed centre will function as a hub for artificial intelligence research, skills development, and innovation, positioning the university as a strategic contributor to Nigeria’s growing AI ecosystem and the government’s broader digital transformation agenda.
“The Centre will help equip young Nigerians with future-ready skills while advancing research that supports national priorities,” the speaker said.
The lecturer concluded by expressing optimism about the university’s future, citing its renewed energy and ambition.
“I leave Jos encouraged by the vision of this institution,” the speaker said, adding that empowering universities to lead in innovation is key to building “a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.”
The convocation ceremony drew academics, policymakers, alumni, and students, underscoring the University of Jos’s role in Nigeria’s higher education landscape five decades after its founding.