The Management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, hosted a delegation of German development partners, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), at its National Information Technology Development Agency Information Technology Hub (NITDA IT Hub – NITHub).
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the German Bundestag’s Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development, Professor Dr. Wolfgang Stefinger, was on an official visit to NITHub to explore its activities and engage with stakeholders involved in technology training, innovation and entrepreneurship. The team arrived at UNILAG via its waterfront, where they were received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Management Services and Academics & Research, Professors Muyiwa Falaiye and Mathew Ilori.
The delegation subsequently proceeded to the NITHub facility for a tour and interaction with tech start-ups and interns participating in its incubation and acceleration programmes.
Addressing the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, Professor Falaiye appreciated the German Government and GIZ for their support for NITHub.
According to the Professor of African Philosophy, UNILAG’s location and institutional capacity position it to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. He noted that the University has supported technology start-ups, strengthened tech skills, expanded access to industry-relevant training and created opportunities for young specialists in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Professor Falaiye described the partnership with German development agencies as valuable to the University, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, faculty support and research funding. He reaffirmed UNILAG’s commitment to ensuring effective utilisation of donated facilities and sustaining collaborations with international partners to advance knowledge and innovation.
Also speaking, the Country Director of GIZ and ECOWAS Nigeria, Dr. Marcus Wagner, expressed satisfaction with the state of the facilities, describing the investment as money well spent.
He said the visit underscored the importance of collaboration among development agencies, universities and industry stakeholders in building relevant technology skills, supporting emerging enterprises and connecting young people with opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
Fireside Chat
A major highlight of the visit was a fireside chat themed “GIZ/DTC Nigeria Cooperation with Partners: Creating Opportunities for Well-Trained Specialists.” The session examined how partnerships among development agencies, universities and private-sector organisations can strengthen technology skills development and improve access to career opportunities for young people.
The panel featured: Professor Victor Odumuyiwa (Acting Director, NITHub), Ms. Anita Agbakoba (TechQuest STEM Academy), Mr. Oscar Esio (Founder, AfricaComicade), Mr. Aderinola Oloruntoye (Value Advisor Expert, SAP) and Dr. Thuweba Diwani (AV, Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria) as moderator.
In his contribution, Professor Odumuyiwa highlighted areas of collaboration with local and international partners, explaining how the partnerships support technological skills development among young people and help position them for opportunities within the digital economy.
Ms. Agbakoba discussed training opportunities and initiatives aimed at connecting trained technology specialists with relevant markets, while Mr. Oloruntoye highlighted how collaboration between local industries and international corporations could improve access to opportunities for technology professionals.
Mr. Esio explored opportunities in the gaming industry, particularly in capacity building, strategic partnerships and expanding the sector to increase its reach and impact.
Participants also raised questions about access to training and the support systems available to aspiring technology professionals. In response, the UNILAG team highlighted initiatives and funding opportunities such as the INCLUDE programme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Mr. Oloruntoye also drew attention to SAP’s free training and certification opportunities for university faculty members and students.
In his remarks, Professor Dr. Stefinger congratulated UNILAG on its progress in technology education and commended the impact of NITHub. He expressed appreciation for the work being done at the facility and assured the University of continued cooperation in promoting technology, innovation and youth development.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Ayo Oloyede
