The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commissioned an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Experience Centre at the Kwara State University (KWASU) in Malete, as part of its strategic intervention to strengthen the capacity of public institutions. The centre, one of six tertiary institutions selected for the pilot phase, aims to equip students and lecturers with critical digital skills in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Software Development. This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, focusing on youth empowerment, education, innovation, and economic transformation.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, stated that the intervention was born out of the growing importance of technology to education and national development. The N1 billion per zone centre is designed to provide enabling environments for learning, creativity, research, and technological advancement. Echono emphasized that the Fund seeks to expose students and lecturers to contemporary technologies and their applications in various sectors, enhancing graduate employability, fostering innovation, and positioning Nigeria to participate effectively in the global technology-driven economy.
The First Lady and National Chairman, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who commissioned the centre, said it represents an opportunity, innovation, knowledge, and hope for future generations of Kwara State people. She commended Echono and the entire Board and Management of TETFund for their continued investment in infrastructure and human capital development across the country's tertiary institutions. Tinubu encouraged students to take ownership of the centre, maximize the opportunities it provides, and use technology positively to transform their lives, communities, and the nation.
The ICT Experience Centre at KWASU is equipped with modern digital devices, computer systems, and relevant software to facilitate training, practical learning, and skills development. The facility is furnished and fully air-conditioned, with supporting power and municipal infrastructure, providing a conducive environment for acquiring practical competencies, exploring ideas, and developing innovative solutions. Echono expressed confidence that the centre will become a vibrant hub for digital learning, creativity, and innovation within the University and the North-Central geopolitical zone.
Arc. Echono acknowledged the significant role of the First Lady, whose passion for the empowerment and advancement of young people has provided invaluable support and encouragement to the initiative. He emphasized that the centre's sustainability and optimal utilization are critical to its long-term impact, trusting that the university will take full ownership of the centre and ensure that facilities and equipment are properly maintained, secured, and regularly updated in line with technological advancements.
The Vice Chancellor of KWASU, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, described the intervention as a vision, belief, and investment in the youth, representing an investment in human capital, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of the country. He noted that the centre will provide opportunities for students to develop practical digital skills and engage with contemporary technologies, serving as a hub for interdisciplinary engagement, enhancing research, teaching, learning, entrepreneurship, and community service.
TETFund plans to extend the initiative to 15 institutions in various states, with construction currently ongoing. The Fund remains focused on ensuring that its interventions are sustained, responsive, and continuously improved to meet emerging needs in tertiary education, engaging beneficiary institutions and stakeholders in supporting relevant and impactful initiatives that provide skills and opportunities for young people.
Key points
- The ICT Experience Centre aims to equip students and lecturers with critical digital skills in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Software Development.
- The initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, focusing on youth empowerment, education, innovation, and economic transformation.
- The centre's sustainability and optimal utilization are critical to its long-term impact, with the university expected to take full ownership and ensure proper maintenance and updates.
