First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has commissioned an ICT Experience Centre at Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, as the Federal Government expands its digital skills programme to 15 additional tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Tinubu, represented at the Tuesday commissioning by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, said construction of similar centres was ongoing in institutions across Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Yobe and Zamfara states.
The initiative is being implemented under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Renewed Hope Initiative ICT Experience Centre programme, which seeks to strengthen digital skills, innovation and technology-based learning in tertiary institutions.
Tinubu said the KWASU facility, equipped with ICT laboratories, interactive digital displays, conference facilities and exhibition spaces, would provide students with opportunities to learn, conduct research, develop ideas and create technology-driven solutions.
“The centre we are commissioning today represents opportunity, innovation, knowledge and hope for the future of young people in Kwara State and beyond,” she said.
She noted that KWASU was among six institutions selected for the pilot phase, with one institution representing each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. She added that centres had already been commissioned in other zones, while facilities at Kaduna State University and Taraba State University would be commissioned soon.
The First Lady urged students to take full advantage of the facility and use technology to improve their lives and communities. “This centre has been established for you, to help you learn, innovate, develop solutions and unlock your full potential,” she said.
TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono, represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Olajide Babatunde, said the agency’s Board of Trustees had approved one centre for each geopolitical zone, with each facility costing about N1 billion.
Echono said the centres would provide practical training in emerging fields including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and software development, while exposing students and lecturers to technology applications in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, security, media and mining.
KWASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, described the centre as an investment in human capital, innovation and entrepreneurship. He assured that the university would maximise the facility for students, researchers and the wider university community.
