Abuja, Nigeria – The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, has advanced its drive for international collaboration following a series of high-level engagements with Ukrainian technology, education and business stakeholders aimed at promoting innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and technical capacity development.
The discussions brought together AUST management, faculty members, ICT specialists, representatives of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, technology company NuJob.ai, RSE Energy Nigeria and other industry partners to explore practical areas of collaboration that will deliver measurable outcomes for both parties.
Welcoming the delegation, the President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to partnerships that extend beyond ceremonial agreements to practical initiatives capable of delivering lasting impact.
“We are interested in collaborations that produce visible results within a short period. Partnerships must be driven by action, innovation and mutual benefit rather than dormant memoranda of understanding,” he said.
Prof. Onwualu highlighted AUST’s extensive academic network and offered to facilitate connections with other Nigerian universities to broaden the reach and impact of future initiatives. He also identified ongoing programmes, including a National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) anti-substance abuse project funded by the MTN Foundation, as potential platforms for expanding collaborative activities across tertiary institutions.
Speaking during the engagement, the Chief Executive Officer of RSE Energy Nigeria, Ms Olena Nedryhailo, explained that a major focus of the discussions was the development of smart campus solutions, digital infrastructure and entrepreneurship support systems. She presented proposals covering technical leadership programmes, specialist ICT training, digital transformation initiatives and technology transfer opportunities designed to enhance institutional capacity.
Representatives of NuJob.ai, led by Mrs Marily Ogbebor, introduced the company’s AI-driven skills assessment and talent-matching platform, which evaluates graduates’ readiness for employment while identifying curriculum gaps. The platform, already deployed in several markets, was proposed for pilot implementation at AUST to improve graduate employability and support data-driven curriculum development.
The meetings also examined key infrastructure challenges facing the University. They discussed the impact of unreliable power supply, rising energy costs, limited campus-wide connectivity, inadequate laboratory facilities and insufficient data centre capacity on teaching, research and innovation activities.
Addressing the technical requirements of the University, the Head of ICT Services, Mr Bidemi Abiodun, emphasised the need for sustained partnerships capable of delivering long-term solutions rather than one-off interventions. He identified expanded digital infrastructure, improved internet connectivity, modern servers and specialised equipment as essential for supporting AI-powered learning, online education and advanced research.
The University’s innovation ecosystem also featured prominently during the discussions. Mr Kingsley Ogwudu, Senior Manager of AUSTInspire, the University’s entrepreneurship and innovation hub, highlighted ongoing efforts to improve graduate employability through start-up incubation, enterprise development, digital innovation and commercialisation programmes. He identified priority needs including ICT and artificial intelligence development kits, robotics equipment, content creation tools and reliable power systems to support uninterrupted innovation activities.
Mr Ogwudu further outlined AUST’s broader vision of leveraging research, innovation and industry partnerships to drive economic development. He reiterated plans for an on-campus industrial park that will provide practical training opportunities for students while attracting investment and generating revenue for the institution.
The Ukrainian delegation expressed its readiness to move swiftly towards implementation by offering technical expertise, vendor-certified training opportunities, simulator-based learning environments and practical energy solutions. The delegation also proposed technical assessments and virtual scoping sessions between its experts and AUST personnel to determine infrastructure requirements and develop viable pilot projects.
The Acting Chief Librarian, Mrs Onyebuchi Ekpolomo, appealed for support to enhance the University’s digital library services, institutional repository and access to international research databases, noting their critical role in advancing academic research and knowledge dissemination.
At the conclusion of the meetings, the Head of AUST Consultancy Services, Dr Anthony Anyakora, expressed appreciation to both parties and announced that the proposed cooperation framework would be reviewed, technical requirements refined and pilot projects developed to serve as the foundation for a long-term partnership. He added that further technical sessions would define implementation timelines and establish measurable outcomes for the collaboration.
The engagements underscore AUST’s commitment to building strategic international partnerships that promote research, innovation, technology transfer and graduate employability while positioning the University as a leading hub for science, technology and entrepreneurship in Africa.
The meeting was attended by the President of AUST, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS; Dr Anthony Anyakora, Head of AUST Consultancy Services; Mrs Onyebuchi Ekpolomo, Acting Chief Librarian; Mr Ben Okonkwo, Bursar/Director of Accounts; Mr Obioha Atulomah, Head of Media Services/Public Relations Officer; Mr Bidemi Abiodun, Head of ICT Services; Mr Kingsley Ogwudu, Senior Manager, AUSTInspire; Ms Blessing Iweha, Administrative Assistant, Media Services/Public Relations; and Ms Chidinma Juliet Okocha, Administrative Assistant, AUST Consultancy Services.
The Ukrainian delegation was led by Ms Olena Nedryhailo, Chief Executive Officer of RSE Energy, and included Mr Davy Hohiia of the Embassy of Ukraine Innovation Hub and Mrs Marily Ogbebor, Director of NuJob.ai.