Arc. Dr.
Kaycee Orji-Kelechi, chairman of The Roxettes Group, plans to partner with the University of Nigeria to establish the Dr Kaycee Orji Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Smart/Green Mobility and Digital Innovation. The facility will function as a research and innovation hub designed to accelerate technology development, entrepreneurship and industrial growth across Africa.
Orji-Kelechi received an honorary Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) from UNN during its convocation ceremony. He delivered his acceptance speech outlining the vision for the proposed centre.
"My vision is for this Centre to become one of Africa's leading hubs for research, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology development, positioning the University of Nigeria at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence, Smart Mobility and Digital Innovation," he said. According to him, the centre represents a long-term investment in research, innovation and human capital development rather than merely another building project.
The centre will operate as a living ecosystem where research, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration merge to convert ideas into commercially viable solutions capable of driving national development. Five flagship laboratories will anchor the facility, focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning; smart and green mobility; robotics and internet of things; digital finance and financial technology; and cloud computing and advanced data centre technologies.
Orji-Kelechi also announced the proposed Kaycee Orji Founders Innovation Challenge, an annual programme designed to identify, mentor, fund and accelerate innovative ideas from students, researchers and faculty members into scalable enterprises. "Every student of this University should know that a great idea conceived in a classroom should have a pathway to becoming a patent, a startup, a global enterprise, and a solution that transforms society," he said.
Preliminary conceptual work on the project has already begun, with K.KH Contractors Ltd., a subsidiary of The Roxettes Group, developing architectural and engineering designs. According to him, discussions will commence with the University on identifying a suitable site and developing the necessary framework.
He added that a comprehensive proposal, including architectural drawings, engineering designs and an implementation framework, will be formally submitted to the institution once the design process concludes. Beyond the centre, Orji-Kelechi reaffirmed his commitment to promoting indigenous manufacturing, sustainable transportation, technological innovation and youth empowerment through The Roxettes Group.
Reflecting on his career journey from humble beginnings through education, architecture, manufacturing and entrepreneurship, he emphasised that Africa must shift from consuming innovation to creating it. "We have pursued one simple vision: that Nigeria and Africa must move from consumption to production; from importing innovation to creating it; and from waiting for opportunities to build them," he said.
He urged graduating students to view their degrees as tools for solving society's challenges through innovation, leadership and enterprise. "I accept this honour not as a destination, but as a call," he concluded.
