The Federal Government has unveiled a N1 billion digital experience centre at the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, Calabar, designed to give students who cannot afford personal devices free access to computers, digital resources and emerging technologies.
The facility, which was commissioned on Friday by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is expected to help bridge the digital divide in tertiary institutions while equipping students with skills needed to compete in the technology-driven global economy.
Tinubu said the centre, delivered through the Renewed Hope Initiative in partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, would provide students with uninterrupted opportunities to learn, create and develop digital skills without being constrained by lack of devices or unstable electricity supply.
She said the project formed part of a nationwide initiative involving selected tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones in its pilot phase.
Among the pioneer beneficiary institutions are Ekiti State University, Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra State, Kaduna State University, Kwara State University, UNICROSS and Taraba State University.
The First Lady said the initiative was particularly important for economically disadvantaged students who were unable to afford laptops and other digital devices required for effective learning in today’s technology-driven environment.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, commended the initiative, describing the centre as a significant investment in digital empowerment and the advancement of education in the state.
Otu said the facility would help narrow the digital gap among students while equipping young people with the skills required to compete effectively in the increasingly technology-driven global economy.
Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, said the UNICROSS facility was one of six ICT Experience Centres approved by the Fund as pioneer beneficiaries under its 2024 strategic intervention.
Masari said the TETFund Board approved one ICT Experience Centre for each of the six geopolitical zones at a total cost of N1 billion per zone, with UNICROSS hosting the South-South centre.
He said the centres were designed to equip students and lecturers with critical skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and software development, while exposing them to emerging technologies applicable to agriculture, healthcare, security, media and mining.
According to him, the intervention is aimed at improving graduate employability, fostering innovation and preparing Nigerian youths to compete in the global technology ecosystem.
Earlier, TETFund Executive Secretary, 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 urged the university management to ensure that the facility and its equipment were properly maintained, secured and regularly upgraded to guarantee sustainability.
He said the centres should not be regarded merely as infrastructure projects but as platforms for creating opportunities for young Nigerians and advancing the country’s aspiration for a knowledge-based and technologically empowered economy.
Echono added that the centre would provide modern digital resources and create an enabling environment for research, learning and skills development, particularly for students without personal digital devices.
He commended Tinubu for championing initiatives targeted at empowering young Nigerians, assuring that TETFund would continue to support interventions designed to improve the quality of tertiary education and prepare students for the demands of the digital economy.
