By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned a N1 billion state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Digital Experience Centre at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Calabar, providing students with free access to laptops, desktop computers and other digital resources.
The facility, delivered through the Renewed Hope Initiative in partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), is designed to expand access to digital technology, particularly for economically disadvantaged students who cannot afford personal devices.
Commissioning the centre on Friday at the university’s main campus in Calabar, Senator Tinubu said the facility would provide students with uninterrupted opportunities to learn, create and develop digital skills without the constraints of device ownership and unstable electricity supply.
She explained that the project forms part of a nationwide initiative involving tertiary institutions across the country’s six geopolitical zones, with institutions including Ekiti State University, Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra State, Kaduna State University, Kwara State University, Taraba State University and UNICROSS participating in the pilot phase.
On his part, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, commended the initiative, describing the ICT Digital Experience Centre as a significant investment in the digital empowerment of students and the advancement of education in the state. He said the facility would help bridge the digital divide while equipping young people with skills needed to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, said UNICROSS was among six institutions selected as pioneer beneficiaries of the Fund’s strategic ICT intervention under its 2024 activities.
Masari disclosed that the Board approved an ICT Experience Centre in each of the six geopolitical zones at a cost of N1 billion per zone, with UNICROSS hosting the South-South centre.
According to him, the centre would equip students and lecturers with critical digital skills in Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and software development, while exposing them to emerging technologies applicable to sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, security, media and mining.
He said the intervention was aimed at enhancing graduate employability, fostering innovation and preparing Nigerian youths to compete effectively in the global technology-driven economy.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the project demonstrated the Fund’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure in tertiary institutions and expanding access to technology-driven learning.
Echono acknowledged the First Lady’s role in supporting initiatives aimed at empowering young Nigerians, noting that her commitment had provided valuable encouragement to programmes of this nature.
He commended the university management for its cooperation in delivering the project and urged it to ensure that the facility and its equipment were properly maintained, secured and regularly upgraded.
Echono stressed that the centres were not merely infrastructure projects but platforms for creating opportunities for young people, reducing inequality in access to technology and advancing Nigeria’s vision of a knowledge-based and technologically empowered economy.
