FG to expand digital learning to 15 states

The Federal Government plans to extend its digital learning initiative to 15 additional states, aiming to equip Nigerian youths with the necessary skills for a technology-driven economy. This expansion was announced on Tuesday during the commissioning of an ICT Experience Centre at the Kwara State University (KWASU) in Malete. The facility is one of six chosen for the pilot phase of the intervention, with each tertiary institution representing one of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.

The initiative, spearheaded by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, aims to increase access to digital learning while fostering innovation, research, and graduate employability. Tinubu highlighted the ICT centres as platforms for "opportunity, innovation, knowledge, and the future of young people," aligning with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

She announced that the next phase would cover 15 institutions across Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Yobe, and Zamfara states.

Construction of these facilities is already underway in the 15 states, demonstrating the administration's commitment to making digital learning opportunities available to youths regardless of their locations. Tinubu also shared that ICT Experience Centres have been established at Ekiti and Cross River states universities, as well as at the Anambra State Polytechnic on September 10.

The center at KWASU includes an ICT laboratory, interactive digital displays, conference facilities, and exhibition spaces designed to support practical learning, creativity, research, and technological advancement.

Architect Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), explained that KWASU is hosting the facility for the North-Central zone, noting that the intervention will expose students and lecturers to emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, and software development.

KWASU's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, emphasized the project as an investment in human capital, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He stated that the center will provide students with opportunities to develop practical digital competencies and serve as a platform for interdisciplinary engagement within the university.