TETFund commits N6bn to zonal ICT centres as First Lady opens Oko facility
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has committed N6 billion to establish ICT Experience Centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as part of efforts to equip students and lecturers with digital skills for the technology-driven economy.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday commissioned the South-East Zonal ICT Experience Centre at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.
The centre, established under the Renewed Hope Initiative, will provide practical training in digital literacy, software development, data science, multimedia, online learning, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Speaking at the commissioning, Tinubu described the facility as an important investment in the future of Nigerian youths and prayed for its continued impact on the institution and generations of beneficiaries.
“I’m really honoured to do this and I pray that God continues to bless this community and generations ongoing. Amen,” she said.
The commissioning coincided with the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-East Zone.
Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, said the Oko centre was part of a nationwide intervention approved by the Board to establish one ICT Experience Centre in each of the six geopolitical zones.
Masari said N1 billion had been approved for each zone, bringing the total investment to N6 billion, with selected universities, polytechnics and colleges of education benefiting from the initiative.
He said the centres would train students and lecturers in critical areas such as AI, cybersecurity, robotics and software development.
He said the intervention was designed to align Nigeria’s education system with global technological and industry standards, enhance graduate employability and foster innovation.
Masari urged the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, to ensure proper maintenance and security of the facility and regularly upgrade its equipment to keep pace with technological developments.
TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, described the centre as more than infrastructure, saying it represented “an investment in people, an investment in possibilities, and ultimately, an investment in the future of Nigeria.”
Echono said improved access to digital learning and innovation would enable young Nigerians to turn ideas into solutions, skills into livelihoods and aspirations into opportunities.
He reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to ensuring that the centres expand digital inclusion, nurture talent and create new opportunities for Nigerian youths.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr Chioma Irene Awuzie, said the centre would bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical technological experience while opening opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, innovation and networking.
She said Nigerian youths must be equipped not only to participate in the technology-driven economy but to “excel and lead.”