The Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET)has sought the support of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to bridge its digital infrastructure gap.
The assurance came during a courtesy visit by the university’s management, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Prince Mmom, to NITDA’s headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building, Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, said the agency would consider the university’s request, stressing that collaboration with academic institutions remains central to NITDA’s mandate of building a digitally inclusive economy.
He noted that the agency had continued to invest in universities through the establishment of Information Technology Community Centres, IT Parks, Innovation Hubs and digital literacy initiatives aimed at equipping students with skills required for the global digital economy.
According to him, the interventions are being implemented under the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“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,” Olawunmi said on behalf of the Director-General.
He added that NITDA would continue to pursue partnerships that promote innovation, digital inclusion, research and workforce development in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier, Prof. Mmom said FUET, established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was created to promote excellence in environmental sustainability, science, technology and innovation while advancing the development of Ogoniland.
He disclosed that although the university had completed its academic planning and received approval to commence programmes in six faculties, inadequate ICT infrastructure remained a major obstacle to effective teaching and learning.
“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,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
He appealed to NITDA to provide computers, digital laboratories, internet connectivity and other ICT facilities, as well as support capacity-building programmes that would enhance teaching, research and innovation.
