Six Nigerian tertiary institutions are set to host new centres of excellence in Robotics, Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning Centres and Cybersecurity, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced.

It revealed that once operational, the addition would raise the total number of TETFund-supported Centres of Excellence from 30 to 36.

Speaking at the Fund’s headquarters yesterday in Abuja while inaugurating the TETFund’s Advisory Committee on Robotics, Coding, AI, Machine Learning Centres and Cybersecurity, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Sonny Echono, said the committee’s primary assignment was to guide the selection of institutions to host the new centres.

The committee is chaired by the immediate past Secretary General, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu.

According to the terms of reference, the committee is tasked with identifying institutions that have demonstrable strengths and capacity in Robotics, Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity studies.

It will also set criteria and conditions for selecting beneficiary institutions, recommending up to six universities to host the proposed centres, and ensuring representation across the six geopolitical zones as outlined in the TETFund Act of 2011.

Echono highlighted the broader national importance of the initiative, stating: “We are not only addressing issues around national security, but we are also preparing future generations of our youthful population to contribute meaningfully to national development and to fill knowledge and skills gaps globally.

He further explained that the centres would be hosted exclusively by public universities, providing students and researchers with state-of-the-art facilities to drive innovation and competitiveness in emerging technological fields.

He directed that the first phase of the committee’s work be completed in 30 days, with the panel retaining its role to guide the selected institutions in establishing and developing the centres. He tasked the committee to deliver high-quality work, reflecting the expertise and professional experience of its members.

Responding to the committee Chairman, Prof. Ochefu pledged that the panel would develop clear, merit-based criteria to identify institutions with proven capacity in Robotics, Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity, while ensuring equitable representation across the six geopolitical zones in line with the provisions of the TETFund Act.

MEANWHILE, thegovernment has secured access to $552 million under the HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) programme to fast-track and deepen reforms in the country’s basic education sector.

Implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative aims to enhance foundational learning outcomes, widen access to quality basic education, and reinforce education systems in benefiting states nationwide.

A statement yesterday by the spokesperson for the ministry, Folasade Boriowo, noted that the programme aligned with and reinforces the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), supporting measurable and accountable sector-wide reforms anchored on transparency and results.

Speaking on the milestone, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the achievement as a defining moment in Nigeria’s education transformation journey.

According to the statement, since 2022, federal allocation to education has increased by over 302 per cent, reflecting the administration’s sustained prioritisation of human capital development.