The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s higher education sector through strategic investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and digital skills development as it moves to establish a collaborative partnership with the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Ogoni, Rivers State.

The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the University’s management, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, to the Agency’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, where discussions centred on building a robust digital ecosystem capable of supporting teaching, research, innovation and talent development.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, the Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building, Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, stated that the Agency remains committed to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation by supporting tertiary institutions to develop the infrastructure and human capital required to compete in the global digital economy.

He noted that NITDA has consistently championed initiatives that strengthen digital capacity within higher institutions through the establishment of Information Technology Community Centres, IT Parks, Innovation Hubs and digital literacy programmes designed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship and research.

According to him, the Agency’s interventions are aligned with the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), which is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to institutionalise digital skills across Nigeria’s education system and equip graduates with globally relevant competencies.

Inuwa assured the University’s management that the Agency would give due consideration to its request for support, stressing that collaboration with academic institutions remains central to NITDA’s mandate of building a digitally inclusive and innovation-driven economy.

“Our mandate is to develop and regulate Nigeria’s digital ecosystem by providing enabling infrastructure and building the digital capacity of Nigerians. Through our interventions in universities, including IT Parks, Innovation Hubs and digital literacy initiatives, we are laying the foundation for a knowledge-driven economy. We will carefully review your requests and identify areas where the Agency can provide the necessary support,” he said.

He further emphasised that NITDA would continue to forge strategic partnerships that promote innovation, digital inclusion, research excellence and workforce development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Earlier, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom described the Federal University of Environment and Technology as a specialised institution established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the developmental aspirations of the Ogoni people while promoting excellence in environmental sustainability, science, technology and innovation.

He explained that although the University is still in its formative stage, it has successfully developed its master plan, academic brief and academic structure, securing approval to commence academic activities across six faculties, including Engineering and Technology, Environmental Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Agriculture, Allied Health Sciences and Management Sciences.

The Vice Chancellor, however, identified inadequate ICT infrastructure as a major challenge confronting the institution, noting that technology-driven programmes such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cyber Security and Information Technology currently lack the essential computing facilities required for effective teaching and learning.

“We have established departments in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cyber Security and Information Technology, but we currently do not have the basic computing facilities needed to support these programmes. To prepare our students for the realities of today’s digital economy, we require computers, workstations, digital laboratories and reliable internet connectivity,” Professor Mmom stated.

He appealed to NITDA to support the University with critical digital infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives that would enable it to deliver quality technology education, stimulate research and innovation, and nurture graduates equipped with industry-relevant digital skills.

The meeting concluded with both institutions expressing optimism that the proposed collaboration would serve as a catalyst for strengthening digital education, advancing research and innovation, and supporting the Federal Government’s vision of building a resilient, inclusive and globally competitive digital economy through strategic investments in human capital development.

•PHOTO: NITDA DG, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, in a strategic engagement with the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom

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