*The National Information Technology Development Agency and Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Ogoni, in Rivers State, activate collaborative partnership to build a robust digital ecosystem capable of supporting teaching, research, innovation and talent development in Nigeria
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
Reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s higher education sector of the economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) moves to strengthen and establish a collaborative partnership with the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Ogoni, in Rivers State, South-South region.
ConsumerConnect reports NITDA said the collaborative efforts are actualised through strategic investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and digital skills development in the country.
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The two government institutions made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the University’s Management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom, to the NITDA Corporate Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT.
Both NITDA and FUET help meaningful discussions that centred on building a robust digital ecosystem capable of supporting teaching, research, innovation and talent development.
Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building at NITDA, received the visiting delegation from FUET, on behalf of Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the agency, in Abuja.
The IT sector regulatory agency noted Inuwa emphasised NITDA 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.
The Director-General also stated 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.
NITDA’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).
The overarching objective of the move is to institutionalise digital skills across Nigeria’s education system, and equip graduates with globally relevant competencies.
Inuwa m, therefore, assured the University’s Management that the agency would give due consideration to its request for support.
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The Chief Executive of the agency further stressed that collaboration with academic institutions remains central to NITDA’s mandate of building a digitally inclusive and innovation-driven economy.
He stared: “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.”
According to him, 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.
Speaking during the visit, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom described the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni, as a specialised institution President Bola Ahmed Tinubu established to address the developmental aspirations of the Ogoni people while promoting excellence in environmental sustainability, science, technology and innovation in the country and beyond.
Mmom explained that although the University is still in its formative stage, it has successfully developed its master plan, academic brief and academic structure.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed the University has secured 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.
He, however, identified inadequate ICT infrastructure as a major challenge confronting the academic institution.
Prof. Mmom noted 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.
He further stated: “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.”
He, therefore, 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.
NITDA said the meeting with FUEL leadership 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.