Federal University Dutse Vice-Chancellor Commissions Artificial Intelligence Research Lab

The Federal University Dutse (FUD) has taken a significant step in advancing research and innovation with the commissioning of its first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Laboratory. The state-of-the-art facility, located in the Department of Computer Science under the Faculty of Computing, was officially inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed, on February 20, 2025.

Speaking at the event, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Dr. Faruq Lawan Gambo, highlighted the transformative potential of AI, referencing technologies like ChatGPT as key examples. He emphasized the lab’s role in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and enhancing research capabilities across the university.

“This lab will bring more collaboration from other departments,” Dr. Gambo remarked. “Since the inception of this university, we have been looking forward to a facility like this. Now, with 50 computing nodes and two high-performance servers, we have a fully equipped research environment to push the frontiers of AI innovation.”

The AI Research Lab was made possible through a competitive research grant awarded to Malam Aminu Musa, a leading researcher in the field. Malam Musa outlined the mission and vision of the project, emphasizing the lab’s capability for high-performance computing and its 24/7 operational capacity, supported by a stable power supply. He reiterated that the facility would drive groundbreaking research and technological advancements at FUD.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed commended Malam Musa for his achievement and acknowledged the support of Google CRAI in funding the initiative. He explained the importance of technical expertise and strategic guidance in maximizing the lab’s resources, ensuring that it serves as a hub for innovation and development in AI research.

The commissioning of the AI Research Lab marks a new era for FUD, positioning the university as a center for cutting-edge AI research and technological excellence in Nigeria.