Lagos State University (LASU) has secured a grant of ₦3 billion from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to establish a Centre of Excellence on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences (ARCS) in Southwest Nigeria.

LASU disclosed this on Friday in a statement signed by the institution’s Chief Public Relations Officer/Head, Media Relations Unit, Olaniyi Jeariogbe.

Jeariogbe said the institution secured the TETFund grant as the sole Southwest Nigeria beneficiary for a Centre of Excellence also in Coding, and related digital technologies under the 2026 Special Intervention Projects.

“Lagos State University has emerged as the sole beneficiary institution for the establishment of a Tertiary Education Trust Fund Centre of Excellence on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences (ARCS) in Southwest Nigeria,” the statement read.

“Under the 2026 Special Intervention Projects allocation, TETFund has approved the sum of Three Billion Naira (₦3,000,000,000.00) for the establishment of the Centre, which will drive research, innovation, and capacity development in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Robotics, Coding, and related digital technologies.”

The selection recognises LASU’s Information, Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, digitised systems, and proven expertise in emerging technologies, reinforcing its claim as Nigeria’s most digitally advanced state university.

“LASU’s selection followed a rigorous national evaluation process in which the university distinguished itself through demonstrated capacity, existing institutional infrastructure, and a verifiable track record of excellence in emerging digital technologies,” Jeariogbe explained.

“The recognition affirms Lagos State University’s well-earned standing as the “Most Digitally Advanced State University in Nigeria”, a position built through years of deliberate and sustained investment in Information, Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, digitised academic and administrative systems, and a clear institutional commitment to technology-driven education.”

Led by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, Jeariogbe said the centre will expand research, innovation, and skills training to address national digital gaps and boost participation in the global tech economy.

“The University Management under the leadership of Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, described the approval as both a recognition of what has been achieved, and a responsibility toward what remains to be done,” the statement added.

“The Centre is expected to further consolidate LASU’s leadership in technology education, whilst equipping young Nigerians with the critical digital competencies required to participate meaningfully in the global knowledge economy.”

The initiative, Jeariogbe stated, aligns directly with TETFund’s national mandate to strengthen Nigeria’s technological capabilities, close the widening digital skills gap, and prepare the next generation of Nigerians for opportunities in an increasingly technology-dependent world.

The management of LASU has expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government and TETFund for this significant investment, and reaffirmed the university’s unwavering commitment to maximising the centre’s impact, not only for its students and staff, but for the wider Nigerian society that this institution was established to serve.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olatunji-Bello, has also congratulated the entire Lagos State University community on this landmark achievement.