The Senate on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish the Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Communication Technology Solutions Centre in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major player in the global digital economy.
Leading the debate on the bill titled: “Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Communication Technology Solutions Centre (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 763),” sponsor of the bill, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC – Ekiti South), said the proposed centre would serve as a national hub for research, innovation, and development in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.
According to Adaramodu, the world is fast being reshaped by artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and advanced technologies that now drive governance, commerce, education, healthcare, and national security.
“Nations that fail to invest strategically in these technologies risk being left behind in the 21st-century knowledge economy,” he warned.
He explained that the bill seeks to establish a specialized centre that will promote research and innovation in AI, robotics, data science, and other related technologies.
The proposed facility, he said, would also encourage collaboration between government, academia, and private industry, while equipping young Nigerians with cutting-edge digital and AI-based skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Adaramodu described the choice of Omuo-Ekiti as “strategic,” noting that Ekiti State has long been known as a cradle of education and intellectual excellence.
“The establishment of this Centre in Omuo-Ekiti will not only stimulate research and innovation but also catalyse economic growth in the South-West region and across the country,” he said.
He outlined the national benefits of the proposed centre, noting that it would serve as a platform for developing homegrown digital solutions to address local challenges in agriculture, health, education, and public service delivery.
The centre, he said, would empower Nigerian youths to compete globally in the AI and tech ecosystem, reduce dependence on imported technologies, and boost indigenous innovation.
“Artificial intelligence is the new frontier of human progress.
“Every developed nation is investing in AI infrastructure and innovation centres. Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind,” Adaramodu said.
The bill, which received wide support from senators across party lines, after being read for the second time, was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over plenary for further legislative action and to report back in four weeks.
