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By Usman Ahmed, Kaduna
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced plans to host an international conference and seminar on a newly developed decentralized machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) system designed for Nigerian Polytechnics.
In a statement signed by the Head of Media and Publicity, Fatima Abubakar, the Board said the event will take place from November 25–27, 2025, at the NBTE Liaison Office in Abuja.
According to the Executive Secretary of NBTE, the initiative marks a practical and forward-looking step to bridge connectivity gaps and decentralize access to AI tools and resources across the country. He stressed that students must not be denied opportunities to learn, innovate, and explore advanced technologies due to unreliable or costly internet connectivity.
As part of the conference activities, NBTE will unveil 46 custom-built machine learning and AI models. These models were developed through a collaboration involving lecturers from Kombolcha Polytechnic in Ethiopia, various Nigerian institutions, and MOC-LLC in the United States of America. The models will be distributed as Linux-based ISO files to enable easy installation for classroom teaching, applied research, and hands-on simulations.
To tackle long-standing challenges associated with poor or expensive internet service in many Polytechnics, the Board explained that the new system will offer campus-wide access to all required tools—including simulators and research libraries—without relying on external internet connectivity.
The platform will run on Linux and use Apache2, enabling the AI models and learning materials to be streamed seamlessly across laboratories, classrooms, and research units. NBTE emphasized that the initiative aligns with its broader strategy to strengthen national capacity in applied engineering AI, data-driven innovation, and industrial technology by establishing decentralized AI laboratories.
The Board aims to position Polytechnics as vital contributors to national growth in sectors such as agriculture, security, engineering, manufacturing, and industrial development.
As part of the conference, NBTE will also sign an implementation agreement with MOC-LLC USA to establish an internet-based AI and machine learning research library hub at its Abuja office. Built and funded by MOC-LLC, the hub will host all post-conference models, system updates, and digital resources. Polytechnic lecturers and ICT units will be able to download and deploy these tools using open-source technologies such as Linux, Apache2, and MySQL.
NBTE further announced that all participating Polytechnics will receive the ISO images for installation on their internal networks. This ensures that institutions across the country—regardless of their internet capacity—can access uniform, high-quality AI tools.
The Executive Secretary urged Polytechnic Rectors to take full advantage of the opportunity by working closely with their lecturers to install and operationalize the AI and machine learning laboratories. He noted that the system will significantly enhance teaching standards, expand applied research capabilities, and strengthen Nigeria’s technical workforce.
He added that the platform will also promote interdisciplinary learning by equipping students with skills in machine learning, AI, applied statistics, and advanced linear algebra.
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