Traditional rulers and community leaders in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, have agreed to give a large piece of land for a new Artificial Intelligence Academy in their area.
This promise was made on Thursday during a public hearing about a bill to set up the academy. The Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security held the hearing.
The bill is backed by Yemi Adaramodu, the senator for the Ekiti South Senatorial District.
Mr Adaramodu, who is also the Senate spokesperson, said the new academy will boost AI education and research in Ekiti State and across Nigeria if it becomes law. He added that the school would create jobs for young Nigerians and help the local community gain from a stronger federal government presence.
The senator called on his colleagues, education stakeholders, and Omuo-Ekiti leaders to support the bill so it can be passed.
The king of Omuo-Ekiti, Noah Omonigbehin, said the community is peaceful and ready to welcome the new academy.
Mr Omonigbehin, who sent one of his chiefs, Taiwo Alonge, to speak, said the academy would prepare youth in Ekiti State and Nigeria with important AI skills.
He asked members of the National Assembly to support the academy's establishment.
Other leaders from the Omuo-Ekiti Kingdom also confirmed their community’s readiness to host the school.
Olusola Kolawole, a professor and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Abuja, spoke for them. He called Omuo-Ekiti a good spot for the academy because it is close to Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, and parts of northern Nigeria.
Mr Kolawole mentioned that Ekiti State has many skilled professionals in artificial intelligence who are eager to help develop the academy if the bill is passed.
He said creating the academy would help fix the unequal spread of federal projects, noting that Omuo-Ekiti has seen little federal development over the years.
The professor also pointed out that the community has found a temporary site for the new academy and is ready to offer a large piece of land for its permanent home.
He said the academy would boost the local economy, improve security, and speed up technological growth in Omuo-Ekiti and nearby areas.
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