Vice-President Kashim Shettima is scheduled to flag off Africa’s first University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) today, Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
​This initiative is a massive collaboration between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It isn’t just about new buildings; it’s about transforming universities from theoretical centers into actual “engines” for startup creation and economic growth.
​UNILAG is home to the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pod, specifically designed to foster research and product development in AI.
This is the first of six initial pods across the country. Other hubs like Abia (Manufacturing & Trade), Akwa Ibom (Green & Blue Economy), Nasarawa (Mining Technology), Benue (Agriculture & Food Systems), Borno (Resilience & Recovery) will follow.
To bridge the gap between “classroom knowledge” and the labor market. The UNDP aims to eventually scale this to over 50 universities, supporting up to 2,000 startups and training 500,000 learners in AI skills.
​There are significant security and traffic restrictions around the Senate House, J. F. Ade Ajayi (Main) Auditorium, and the Faculties of Law and Engineering. Access to the launch itself is strictly by invitation.
​It’s an exciting day for the Akoka community. This move officially positions UNILAG as the hub for Nigeria’s AI future.
