The Senate has passed for second reading a bill for an act to establish the Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Communication Technology Solutions Centre, Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State (Establishment) Bill, 2025.
Leading the debate, the sponsor of the bill, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, said the world is being transformed by artificial intelligence and digital innovation, stressing the need for Nigeria to harness these technologies for national development.
Adaramodu further argued that emerging technologies that have become the backbone of modern governance, commerce, education, health care, and national security any Nation that fails to invest strategically in these technologies risk being left behind
He said the Bill, therefore, seeks to establish a specialized Centre in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State that will serve as a national hub for research, development, and innovation in artificial intelligence and communication technology.
The establishment of this
Centre in Omuo-Ekiti will not only stimulate research and innovation but also catalyze economic development in the South-West region and across the nation.
Senator Adaramodu outlined the objective.of the bill to promote research and innovation in Al, robotics, data science, and related technologies.
Empower Nigerian youths to compete globally in the Al and tech ecosystem and as well reduce dependence on imported technologies by fostering indigenous innovation;
Accordingly this will encourage collaboration between government, industry, and academic institutions; and build the capacity of young Nigerians to acquire digital and Al-based skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Cov/ Bashir M
