Varsity to secure NUC’s AI approval

The North-West part of the country has produced the first university to get the National Universities Commission’s approval to run a Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence.

Arewa PUNCH gathered that following the NUC’s approval, Skyline University Nigeria, which secured the first for the region, is now officially the first university in the North-West to offer the programme.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ajith Kumar V. V., made the disclosure on Monday in Kano during a press briefing ahead of the university’s fifth convocation ceremony billed for November 14, 2026.

“Skyline University Nigeria has also secured approval from the National Universities Commission for two other programmes: BSc Islamic Economics and Finance and BSc Public Health Science,” Kumar said.

The institution also unveiled what it described as Africa’s first HP Gaming Garage, adding that the new programmes and the HP Gaming Garage underscored the university’s focus on technology-driven education and innovation.

“The gaming facility will expose students to emerging areas such as game development, artificial intelligence, design thinking and digital innovation, preparing them for opportunities in the global technology industry,” he explained.

The vice-chancellor announced that the university would, for the first time, confer doctorate degrees at the forthcoming ceremony. A total of 236 graduands are expected to receive various academic awards.

“The graduating class comprises 183 bachelor’s degree holders, 41 higher-degree graduates and 12 doctorate-degree graduates from the School of Postgraduate Studies,” he stated.

According to him, 30 of the bachelor’s degree graduands earned First Class Honours, 89 obtained Second Class Upper Division, while 64 graduated with Second Class Lower Division.

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Kumar further disclosed that the university had awarded 50 per cent scholarships to all graduating students who emerged as toppers to enable them to pursue postgraduate programmes at the institution.

On international partnerships, he said the university had signed memoranda of understanding with IMS Unison University and Sikkim Sardar Patel University in India, as well as the RV Institute of Management.

“Ten per cent of the university’s curriculum will be delivered by industry experts to expose students to professional practices and improve their readiness for the labour market,” Kumar said.

On research, the vice-chancellor noted that two members of the academic staff, Dr Musa Innocent and Mr Abdulsallam Mustapha, were recognised among Nigeria’s top researchers in the 2026 rankings.

He said the institution organised several student development programmes during the 2025/2026 academic session, including its CEO Lecture Series, career fair, TEDx event, CV clinic sessions and professional development activities.

“More than 43 organisations participated in the university’s second career fair, with some offering pre-employment placements to outstanding students,” he added.

Kumar also disclosed that the university trained 1,189 Nigerian youths under two cohorts of the World Bank’s Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills project. The beneficiaries received training in information and communication technology, Microsoft Office, web design, desktop publishing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, machine learning and programming.

He said the institution further empowered 100 women through training in artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship as part of its community development efforts.

“The institution will continue to expand its academic programmes, strengthen international partnerships, promote research and embrace emerging technologies to improve teaching and learning,” Kumar further disclosed.