The Senate has endorsed the proposal for the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major player in the global digital economy.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), passed second reading on Tuesday after extensive debate on the floor of the Senate.
According to Adaramodu, the proposed centre will serve as a national hub for research, innovation, and development in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies such as robotics, data science, and digital innovation.
He said the initiative would promote collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector, equipping young Nigerians with cutting-edge digital skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
“Artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and advanced technologies now drive governance, commerce, education, healthcare, and national security,” Adaramodu noted.
“Nations that fail to invest strategically in these technologies risk being left behind in the 21st-century knowledge economy.”
The senator explained that the choice of Omuo-Ekiti was influenced by Ekiti State’s long-standing reputation for education and knowledge-driven development.
“Establishing this centre in Omuo-Ekiti will not only stimulate research and innovation but also catalyse economic growth in the South-West region and across the country,” he said.
Adaramodu added that the centre would help develop homegrown digital solutions to tackle challenges in agriculture, health, education, and governance, while empowering Nigerian youths to compete globally in the technology and AI ecosystem.
“Artificial intelligence is the new frontier of human progress,” he stated. “This bill represents an important step toward securing Nigeria’s place in the global technological landscape and aligns with our national goals of youth empowerment, job creation, and economic diversification.”
