Techlytics, IHS Nigeria launch AI initiative to boost local engineering capacity

Techlytics Institute of Technology and Innovation, in partnership with IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Towers Group, has launched TechHER25, an eight-week applied artificial intelligence programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s local engineering capacity and advancing sovereign AI development.

The programme, which commenced on May 7, 2026, at the Faculty of Computing, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, will train 50 female students on deploying real-world AI systems using high-performance edge computing infrastructure.

Speaking about the initiative, Oluwatayo Winkunle, founder and CEO of Techlytics, said the programme reflects a shift from theoretical training to capability development.

“We are training engineers to deploy sovereign AI on Nigerian soil,” Winkunle said. “The focus is on systems that can be used in real operational environments across government and industry,” she noted.

She added that the programme aligns with a broader strategy to localise AI capability in Nigeria, ensuring that critical systems are built and managed within the country.

The TechHER25 is positioned as a pipeline for developing deployable AI solutions across key sectors, including security, urban mobility, environmental management, and energy efficiency.

Participants will work in teams to build systems with commercial and public-sector applications, with outputs expected to be benchmarked against real-world performance metrics.

Speaking also, Titilope Oguntuga, director of sustainability at IHS Nigeria Limited, said the company’s investment reflects a long-term approach to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy.

“We are focused on enabling the infrastructure and talent that will define the next phase of growth for Nigeria’s digital economy.” “This programme is a practical step in that direction.”

The programme will conclude with a demo day in July 2026, where participating teams will present deployable solutions to stakeholders across public and private sectors.

The initiative is sponsored by IHS Nigeria with the company investing in infrastructure, training, and a permanent innovation lab at the University of Ibadan.