In a groundbreaking move set to redefine Africa’s technological landscape, OpenAI, the global artificial intelligence research and development company, has chosen the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as the host institution for its first-ever AI Academy in Africa.
The announcement was made during UNILAG’s International Week 2025, themed “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa.” The event brought together academics, government officials, technology innovators, and international development partners to explore how Africa can actively participate in shaping the global AI narrative.
Speaking at the event, Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI’s Africa Lead, said the decision to establish the academy at UNILAG reflects OpenAI’s commitment to supporting African talent and ensuring global inclusivity in artificial intelligence development.
He stated, “The OpenAI Academy is designed to be accessible to everyone globally. Our choice of UNILAG is a testament to the university’s strong academic foundation, research capacity, and commitment to innovation that is locally relevant yet globally competitive.”
The OpenAI Academy will offer free training programs, workshops, and certifications in artificial intelligence, data science, and ethical AI practices. It will serve students, researchers, professionals, and startups across Africa who are looking to develop innovative, AI-driven solutions to local and regional challenges.
UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, described the partnership as a major milestone in the institution’s pursuit of technological advancement and global collaboration.
According to her, “Africa must become a producer of AI technology, not just a consumer. Partnerships like this one with OpenAI will help us build capacity, empower young people, and ensure that Africa has a voice in the future of artificial intelligence.”
She further highlighted that the collaboration aligns with UNILAG’s vision to build a “future-ready university”, where research and innovation are used to solve pressing societal problems from healthcare and education to climate change and economic development.
Officials from the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), who attended the event, praised the initiative, calling it a “transformative step” toward achieving Nigeria’s National AI Strategy.
They emphasized that the project would help Nigeria and other African nations bridge the global digital divide, create new job opportunities, and build a pipeline of skilled talent for the continent’s emerging tech ecosystem.
Industry analysts have described OpenAI’s decision as a strategic one, given Nigeria’s rapidly expanding tech sector and UNILAG’s growing reputation for innovation-driven research. The university has already attracted over $28 million in research grants and partnerships focused on digital transformation, renewable energy, and data analytics.
The OpenAI Academy is expected to serve as a continental hub for AI education and research, offering access to OpenAI’s latest tools including ChatGPT, machine learning frameworks, and responsible AI development modules.
Experts believe that the partnership will help African innovators develop context-specific technologies that can address real challenges such as limited infrastructure, language barriers, and public health concerns.
With this initiative, OpenAI becomes one of the first major global AI organizations to establish a long-term academic and developmental footprint in Africa, signaling a new era of collaborative technology growth and inclusive innovation.
