UNILAG and UNDP Launch Innovation Hub to Empower Students
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have inaugurated an innovation hub aimed at empowering students through technological advancements.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has unveiled an artificial intelligence-themed UniPOD, an initiative backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This groundbreaking platform aims to empower African youth in driving industrial progress and economic transformation, as highlighted by UNDP in a recent statement.
During the launch, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folashade Ogunwola, emphasized the critical role of innovation and design thinking in fostering economic growth. "UniPOD aims to encourage students in universities to engage in innovation and design thinking," she stated. The UniPOD is one of 13 hubs being established across Africa, each focusing on thematic areas such as agritech, healthtech, greentech, and more.
Described by Ogunwola as a “living and breathing hub,” the UniPOD is designed to unite a community of dreamers, thinkers, and doers, driven by the pursuit of groundbreaking ideas and the relentless drive to turn them into reality. The project supports and grows innovative, scalable, and impactful entrepreneurship by African youth, leveraging a network of partners to build a robust innovation and startup ecosystem.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP’s Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, underscored the importance of investing in the creative industry and technology for economic transformation. “We must invest in the creative industry, in the development of music, fashion, movies, creative entertainment generally, and technology,” Eziakonwa stated, highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach to achieving economic progress.
SEE MORE: UNILAG INCDS Hosts Virtual Seminar on Africa-China Relations and Development Narratives
In a related event marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Chairman of the MTN Foundation, Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi, emphasized the critical need for the ASAP initiative to combat substance abuse. “Five years ago, we examined the dire situation and concluded that something had to be done about the menace of substance abuse,” he remarked. Adelusi-Adeluyi praised the support from NDLEA and UNODC, noting that drug abuse remains a pervasive issue in Nigeria, exacerbated by high unemployment rates.
The Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Mr. Mobolaji Ogundele, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reiterated the state’s dedication to tackling substance abuse. “In Lagos State, we have witnessed the devastating impact of drug abuse on families, communities, and the socio-economic fabric of our society,” Ogundele stated, praising the ASAP initiative and the MTN Foundation’s efforts in aligning with the state’s vision to safeguard the future of Nigeria’s youth.
The Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, expressed gratitude for the partnership with Lagos State, emphasizing the unique position of Lagos as Nigeria’s economic nerve center. “Initiatives implemented here have the potential to be replicated across the entire country,” Sanya noted, highlighting the broader impact of local efforts in combating substance abuse and fostering economic development.
With the launch of UniPOD and ongoing initiatives like ASAP, UNILAG and its partners are poised to make significant strides in innovation, economic transformation, and social development, paving the way for a brighter future for Nigerian youth.
