On Wednesday, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, declared that at least twelve federal institutions will have access to high-fibre digital infrastructure by the end of the year.
Dr. Maruf Alausa, Minister of Education, said some Nigerian colleges will also start to have 24-hour electricity supplies to improve on-campus instruction, research, and learning.
This was revealed by Dr. Tijani during the commissioning of a high-fibre digital facility at the former Boys Hostel of the University of Abuja. According to him, the initiative’s goal is to give students the digital skills and resources they need to investigate new prospects in the global tech ecosystem prior to graduation.
Dr. Tijani encouraged students to take advantage of the digital infrastructure being offered by the current administration in order to grow personally and create a future in technology, citing instances of young Nigerians who have successfully established billion-dollar online payment companies.
The federal government, Huawei Technologies Nigeria, Galaxy Backbone Nigeria Ltd., and other IT companies are working together on the project. It will act as a digital equalizer for students by providing free Wi-Fi services throughout campuses.
Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner for the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director of NigComSat, and Mrs. Tola Odeyemi, the Federation’s Postmaster General, were all in attendance at the inauguration.
The occasion was attended by the University of Abuja’s Registrar, Prof. Patricia Lar, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, and Mr. Teorens Wu, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Nigeria.
Digital inclusion, according to Dr. Tijani, is especially important for students to successfully manage today’s problems and succeed in the digital world without having to wait for white-collar jobs after graduation.
The University was the first of seven universities to participate in the pilot program’s initial phase, he said. And that the seven universities would be connected for the first phase by the end of June.
“We will have connected the seven universities by the end of July, and this initiative we are launching here today is the first of seven in a pilot scheme,” he stated.
The Minister continued, “Galaxy Backbone already has the infrastructure in place; we are just bringing the fibre to the hostels.”
“What you do with the information you’ve been given is your challenge today. For this reason, we have taught that it is crucial for Nigerian university students to have access to significant connectivity in order to fulfil the aspirations of our president.
“We know that when we give you this access, you will not only be better at what you’re learning, but you will actually create the future that our president is asking us to create as a nation,” Dr. Tijani stated. “It is unacceptable.”
On his side, Dr. Alausa stated that the University was a unique establishment chosen by the government to benefit from a power supply that was available around-the-clock. Additionally, before the end of 2026, other unique institutions will get 24-hour power.
Institutions are being energized by the president. Special institutions in the nation now have access to electricity around-the-clock thanks to the solarization project and the presidential renewable mini-grid project.
One of the recipients is the University of Abuja. Everyone can attest to the fact that you have a 3.3 megahertz mini-grid here now that you have a steady supply of electricity.
“That’s not where the president is going. Every special institution will have a mini-grid by the end of the next year. A 24-hour electricity supply will be available to you all, Dr. Alausa stated.
In her welcome speech, Professor Patricia Lar, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, praised the project and said it will help the school community.
Students from various socioeconomic backgrounds will have the opportunity to acquire data for education and knowledge, as well as to easily feed their creativity, thanks to this unique effort.
“The installation of fibre in our dorms is greatly appreciated, and it complements the solar power backup system that has been set up on campus,” she said.
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