The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, has called on the Federal Government, investors, and educators to collaborate in strengthening infrastructure in Nigerian universities.
He said robust infrastructure was essential to drive innovation, research, and technological advancement.
Bamire made the appeal in a telephone interview during the launch of Link Unavailable, an AI-powered line of smartphones and smartwatches, held in Ife, Osun State, on Wednesday. The event coincided with a symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Clinical Practice, themed “Transforming Healthcare: AI-Driven Solutions for Nigeria’s Medical Future.”
The newly launched devices, including the X55 Smartphone and FitBand X1 Smartwatch, come preloaded with AI tools for healthcare diagnostics, crop monitoring, and education. They are expected to enter the market by early 2026, a development Bamire described as a major step in Africa’s technological journey.
He noted that the launch and symposium reflected Africa’s capacity to shift from dependence on natural resources to transformation powered by knowledge and innovation.
“Africa’s challenge is not a lack of resources but the need to think, build, and act. Real transformation requires investment in education, STEM skills, vocational training, strong institutions, reliable infrastructure, and a culture that values productivity and innovation,” Bamire said.
The VC explained that well-equipped universities could serve as hubs for research, development, and industrial application if backed with adequate policy support. Building innovation ecosystems and strong policy frameworks, he added, would accelerate the continent’s technological growth.
He commended the symposium for combining global expertise with local initiative, showing how African universities could drive such transformation.
The event gathered academics, healthcare professionals, technology experts, students, and industry leaders to discuss the role of AI and robotics in revolutionising healthcare across Africa. Conversations focused on how AI could enhance diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings.
Bamire further noted that the devices would support smarter farming systems, expand access to digital learning, and boost remote monitoring, linking innovation with education and sustainable development.
He stressed that investing in university infrastructure was crucial to enabling students and researchers to deploy such technologies effectively and to position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s knowledge economy.