Adebayo Ogunlesi–linked OpenAI picks Nigeria for its debut African AI academy

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has chosen the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to host its first artificial intelligence academy in Africa, marking a significant milestone in the continent’s integration into the global AI ecosystem.

While this is its first direct footprint, the company is still in the early stages of considering Africa for future multi-billion-dollar investments.

The announcement came during UNILAG’s 2025 International Week, themed “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa,” Premium Times reported.

The event, attended by scholars, industry experts, and policymakers, coincided with the official unveiling of the academy on Wednesday. Once fully operational, the academy will offer free AI learning resources and capacity-building opportunities, empowering students, researchers, and professionals across Africa.

Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI’s Africa lead, described the academy as a model for equitable global research partnerships:

“AI should serve human needs, not deepen divides. UNILAG’s commitment to community-focused innovation made it the perfect choice for this academy.” He said.

“The OpenAI Academy can be accessed by everyone globally. It provides free courses on how governments, scholars, and individuals can use AI tools like ChatGPT effectively. Our collaboration with UNILAG will establish the first OpenAI Academy in Africa, beginning this week, with sessions led by facilitators who will showcase how AI is being used across Nigeria and the continent.” He added.

Lubanzadio noted that Lagos was chosen due to UNILAG’s strong track record in innovation and its growing role in technology-driven education.

Nigerian-born billionaire Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi, who joined OpenAI’s board in January, may have played a key role in expanding the company’s footprint in Nigeria.

Ogunlesi has pushed for broader inclusion in AI development and the creation of knowledge centres beyond traditional tech hubs.

Since joining the board, OpenAI has acquired Statsig for $1.1 billion, raised $40 billion to reach a $300 billion valuation, and signed a $300 billion, five-year contract with Oracle to boost computing infrastructure.

“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he said.

The UNILAG AI Academy underscores OpenAI’s acknowledgment of Africa’s growing significance in the global technology economy.

For Nigeria, it represents a landmark moment in the nation’s digital transformation journey and constitutes OpenAI’s first direct presence on the continent.