Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has inaugurated a Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Development Laboratory in its Department of Computer Science.
The facility, commissioned in March 2026 at the New Computer Science Building, was officially unveiled on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Micheal Ebie Onyia.
The laboratory was donated by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy under the Tertiary Institution Digital Centre (TIDC) project, a Federal Government initiative aimed at strengthening digital capacity in Nigerian universities.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor thanked the ministry for the intervention, describing the laboratory as a step toward his vision of repositioning the university as a leader in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence research.
“This facility marks a significant milestone in our drive towards digital transformation in emerging technologies,” Onyia, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, said.
In his remarks, the Head of Department of Computer Science, Professor Collins Udanor, noted that the facility would significantly enhance teaching, research, and innovation in the university.
“With this facility, our staff and students can fully explore their innovative potential,” Udanor said.
Also speaking, the project focal person, Professor Francis Bakpo, urged staff and students to take full advantage of the laboratory’s advanced resources for research, training, and collaboration.
The facility is equipped with modern tools, including a 10KVA solar power system, a high-performance HP server, 20 Core i5 all-in-one computers, a smart interactive board, and high-speed Starlink internet connectivity.
Dignitaries at the event included the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Anthony Attama, and the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Finbar Odo, among others.
