Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), renowned for its rapid ascent in academic rankings and commitment to producing socially relevant graduates since its 2009 establishment by legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola, has forged a strategic alliance with New Horizons Nigeria. This partnership aims to embed crucial Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills into ABUAD’s academic curriculum.
This collaboration will equip ABUAD students with globally sought-after competencies in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain technology, 3D Technology, the Metaverse, Web 3.0, Full Stack development, and Cyber Security. By integrating these cutting-edge technologies, ABUAD reinforces its dedication to producing graduates who are not only prepared for the job market but are also positioned to become innovators and wealth creators within the global tech ecosystem.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing this partnership was signed by ABUAD’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, and the CEO of New Horizons Nigeria, Mr. Tim Akano. The University Bursar, Pastor Dupe Babatola, and the Deputy Director of ICT, Mr. Muyiwa Oladimeji, were also present at the signing.
Professor Olarinde emphasized that this partnership aligns perfectly with ABUAD’s vision of fostering innovation and excellence. She stated that by integrating 4IR skills, the university is proactively preparing its students to meet the evolving demands of the modern workforce and to drive future technological advancements.
Mr. Akano of New Horizons Nigeria expressed pride in collaborating with ABUAD, an institution that shares its commitment to technological empowerment. He asserted that together, they will provide students with the essential tools and certifications needed to thrive in today’s digital landscape. Reflecting on Africa’s absence in the initial global industrial revolutions, Mr. Akano highlighted the critical importance of embracing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). He explained that AGI will fundamentally reshape all professions, determining who becomes a modern, relevant professional versus an obsolete one.
Mr. Akano stressed that any university failing to equip its graduates with relevant 4IR skills and certifications during their undergraduate years risks producing obsolete graduates. He further argued that humanity’s major global challenges – hunger, poverty, disease, climate crisis, and youth unemployment – are fundamentally technological problems requiring technological solutions, citing the eradication of smallpox through vaccination as a prime example. He concluded that ABUAD’s partnership with New Horizons is therefore a necessary, critical, and urgent step to ensure that its graduates can effectively compete with their peers globally in the realm of 4IR innovations.
This strategic partnership with New Horizons Nigeria marks a significant step in ABUAD’s ongoing mission to remain at the forefront of educational innovation, ensuring its students are exceptionally well-prepared to navigate and lead in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
New Horizons Nigeria stands as Africa’s largest ICT training organization, boasting over 200 training centers across Nigerian universities, high schools, and retail locations, and empowering over 100,000 students annually. As a franchise of New Horizons International, the world’s largest ICT training institute headquartered in California with a presence in 90 countries, New Horizons Nigeria pioneered the integration of international ICT certifications into the Nigerian academic curriculum two decades ago.
Notably, alumni who benefited from New Horizons training during their university years now hold leadership positions in global corporations in Silicon Valley and work with IT giants such as Microsoft, MasterCard, Oracle, Google, and Amazon.