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 begins discussions with the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Ogoni, Rivers State, on a collaborative partnership.
The proposed collaboration, which is expected to enhance teaching, research, innovation and talent development, was the focus of a courtesy visit by the university’s management, led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, to NITDA’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, the Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building, Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, said the agency remained committed to supporting tertiary institutions with the digital infrastructure and human capital development required to position Nigeria competitively in the global digital economy.
According to him, NITDA has continued to champion initiatives aimed at strengthening digital capacity across higher institutions through the establishment of Information Technology Community Centres, IT Parks, Innovation Hubs and digital literacy programmes designed to stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship and research.
He noted that these interventions align with the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), which is being implemented in partnership 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 competitive competencies.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to the proposed partnership, Olawunmi said collaboration with universities remains central to NITDA’s mandate of building a digitally inclusive, 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 stressed that NITDA would continue to pursue strategic partnerships that promote digital inclusion, innovation, research excellence and workforce development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of FUET, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, described the institution as a specialised university established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the developmental aspirations of the Ogoni people while advancing environmental sustainability, science, technology and innovation.
He disclosed that despite being in its formative stage, the university has completed its master plan, academic brief and academic structure, securing approval to commence academic activities in six faculties: Engineering and Technology, Environmental Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Agriculture, Allied Health Sciences, and Management Sciences.
Professor Mmom, however, identified inadequate ICT infrastructure as one of the institution’s most pressing challenges, particularly in delivering technology-based programmes.
“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 said.
He appealed to NITDA to support the university with critical ICT infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives that would enable it to deliver quality technology education, deepen research and innovation, and produce graduates equipped with industry-relevant digital competencies.
The meeting ended with both institutions expressing confidence that the proposed collaboration would strengthen digital education, expand research and innovation, and support the federal government’s vision of building a resilient, inclusive and globally competitive digital economy through sustained investment in human capital development.
