Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Wigwe University discussed joint research in artificial intelligence, health and agriculture during a visit to the agency in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on February 11, 2026.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Marwan Al-Akaidi, met NITDA officials to explore projects connecting academic research with practical technology use. Wigwe University is based in Rivers State, southern Nigeria.
Okay News reports that the university’s account of the visit identified proposed work on malaria detection, predictive analysis and the use of data in public health. The discussions did not establish that these systems had been deployed.
Al-Akaidi also proposed using artificial intelligence to monitor livestock, improve agricultural yields and guide precision farming. Both institutions discussed how research could be connected to technology adoption in farming communities.
According to NITDA’s separate account, the vice-chancellor said a 10-person university research team was working on artificial intelligence for health. He also described an ambition to establish a dedicated artificial intelligence centre in Nigeria.
The agency pointed to its National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics as one possible basis for collaboration. Its officials also discussed digital literacy, virtual learning and the skills graduates would need in the workplace.
Al-Akaidi called for regular curriculum reviews so that teaching in computing, engineering and related subjects could keep pace with industry needs. He said universities needed closer working relationships with businesses and government technology agencies.
The university’s account said subsequent operational discussions involved NITDA’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, and the director-general’s Special Assistant on Strategy and Innovation, Iklima Musa.
The proposed next steps were to submit defined collaboration proposals, appoint contact people from both institutions and identify potential pilot projects in health and agriculture.
