Okebukola tasks KU8+ to spearhead AI development in Nigeria
… Consortium records major success in research grants – Egbewole
By Tajudeen Babamale
A distinguished Professor of Science and Computer Education and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Peter Okebukola, OFR, has challenged the Consortium of Universities in Kwara State (KU8+) to position itself as the leading force in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria through collaboration, resource sharing and innovative research.
Emeritus Prof. Okebukola, who gave the charge last Friday (August 7, 2026) while delivering the Keynote Address at the Fourth KU8+ Conference, hosted by Summit University, Offa, described the Consortium as a unique initiative with the potential to redefine higher education and accelerate national development.
Speaking on the theme, “Strengthening Higher Education for Inclusivity and Resilience: Bridging Research, Practice and Societal Impact,” the renowned education scholar urged the Consortium to build on successful global models while developing a framework that reflects Nigeria’s peculiar needs and aspirations.
He called on KU8+ to bring together AI scholars across its member institutions to establish a robust research consortium that would advance the application of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture, healthcare, education, governance, manufacturing and other critical sectors of the economy.
Prof. Okebukola expressed confidence that the Consortium possesses the leadership and intellectual capacity required to realise the vision, noting that its Board of Trustees, Vice-Chancellors and other stakeholders could successfully drive the initiative.
He observed that although challenges were inevitable, they should not discourage the Consortium from pursuing its ambitious agenda, stressing that sustained collaboration would remain the key to its success.
The former NUC boss described the coming together of universities in Kwara State as a remarkable development, noting that no other state in Nigeria has a similar arrangement.
Prof. Okebukola also advised the Consortium to establish a mechanism for monitoring its progress and measuring its impact, as he shared optimism that KU8+, which is already making significant strides in university rankings, would attain even greater heights.
As part of his recommendations, the keynote speaker unveiled a five-year roadmap comprising 20 joint projects centred on the core mandates of universities: teaching, research and community service. The proposed initiatives include the establishment of a KU8+ Shared Postgraduate School, Consortium-wide student credit transfer and exchange programmes, joint faculty and staff exchange schemes, collaborative executive education programmes, AI research partnerships, shared AI governance, and Consortium-wide AI literacy and capacity-building initiatives.
In a welcome address, the Chairman of KU8+ and Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, disclosed that the Consortium had recorded notable success in attracting research grants through collaborative efforts, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its Research and Grants Team.
The Chairman also identified the rapid growth of the Consortium since its establishment in 2023 as he recalled that KU8+ was founded with the signing of the Ilorin Declaration by eight universities in Kwara State but has since expanded to 13 member institutions, with more universities indicating interest in joining.
While explaining that the Consortium has deliberately linked the resources, systems and operations of member universities to ensure that innovations, best practices and successes recorded by one institution are shared for the benefit of others, the KU8+ Chairman noted that the collaborative framework had enhanced resource sharing, strengthened institutional capacity and created opportunities for universities to learn from one another in areas such as research, academic administration, staff development and innovation.
Prof. Egbewole expressed appreciation to participating universities and stakeholders for their commitment to the vision of the Consortium, saying that their continued support has sustained the growth and relevance of the annual conference.
Also speaking at the Conference, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, advised the Consortium to strengthen the resilience of its member institutions through sustained investment in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, institutional leadership, research capacity, financial sustainability and staff development.
Prof. Ali made the call in his lead paper, titled “Strengthening Higher Education for Inclusivity and Resilience: Bridging Research, Practice and Societal Impact”.
Represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Prof. Bashir Omipidan, the renowned legal luminary also urged the KU8+ universities to commit to solution-driven research, deepen interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen partnerships with government, industry and communities, and make inclusion a measurable institutional priority.
Prof. Ali stressed the need to mentor the next generation of African scholars and reminded KU8+ members that their true worth lies not in global rankings but in their contribution to humanity.
According to him, universities have always shaped civilisations by preserving knowledge, inspiring innovation and producing leaders, adding that they must now move beyond education to transforming society through impactful research and innovation.
Prof. Ali expressed confidence that strengthening higher education through inclusivity, resilience, collaboration and impactful research would produce stronger universities, stronger nations and a more prosperous Africa.
