The University of Lagos(UNILAG) is set to become the first African institution to introduce an OpenAI Academy, following the recent partnership with the global artificial intelligence research and development company, OpenAI.
Emmanuel Lubanzadio, who is the head of OpenAI in Africa made this announcement on during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the university’s 2025 International Week, themed “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa.”
The academy will be officially unveiled on Wednesday, and it will provide free AI learning opportunities for students and researchers, across the continent.
Mr Lubanzadio in his statement described the partnership as a major step towards democratising access to AI knowledge and ensuring Africa plays an active role in shaping the technology’s future.
Folashade Ogunsola, the vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), says equitable partnerships are essential for Africa to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence.
The professor, who spoke at the commencement of the university’s fifth international week on Tuesday, said equitable partnerships will drive inclusive development across the continent.
“The OpenAI Academy can be accessed by everyone globally. It provides free courses on how governments, scholars and individuals can use AI tools like ChatGPT effectively,” he said.
According to Mr Lubanzadio “Our collaboration with the University of Lagos will establish the first OpenAI Academy in Africa, beginning this week, with sessions led by facilitators who will showcase how AI is being used across Nigeria and the continent.”
He added that the decision to begin the academy in Lagos was driven by UNILAG’s track record in innovation and its growing role in advancing technology-driven education.
The Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, also stated that this year’s international week goes beyond discussions on technology; it is about shaping the “narrative of inclusion, innovation, and global equity in the age of artificial intelligence.”
“Artificial intelligence is not the future; it is the present,” Mrs Ogunsola said.
The professor said AI represents an opportunity for Africa to “leapfrog limitations” and reimagine education, healthcare, governance and industry.
“But for AI to truly serve Africa, it must be built on equitable partnerships — rooted not in charity, but in shared growth and co-creation,” she said.
Mrs Ogunsola highlighted the university’s commitment to making AI research and innovation contextually relevant to African realities.
She referenced the university’s innovation challenge and international collaborations that have produced AI tools designed for communities with unreliable internet and power supply.
She added that UNILAG’s participation in global research networks positions it as a hub for interdisciplinary AI research, while ongoing collaborations have attracted over $28 million in research funding to the university.
