FG To Set Up First ICT University
The Federal Government has concluded plans to establish a first of its kind ICT university in Nigeria within the next three months.
Communications Minister, Mr Adebayo Shittu, disclosed this during a radio programme yesterday.
The minister spoke on the title “Harnessing the Potentials in the Communications Sector for Sustainable Development.”
Shittu said that the university would be an off-shoot of an existing ICT-based institute, The Digital Bridge Institute. The institute is currently in operation in six centres across the country.
“It is time to leverage on the bountiful opportunities in the Communications sector to generate additional revenue for government.”
“We all know that ICT is now redefining how we live, how we deliver businesses and services.”
He said that the university would be the first of its kind on the continent of Africa.
“We currently have what we call Digital Bridge Institute. It has six campuses- one in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Owerri, Yola and in Benue state.”
ICT School To Partner World Leading Institutions
Furthermore, the Minister said the proposed upgrading of the Digital Bridge Institute has become imperative. This is because the present standard of education in the universities do not meet the needs of industry operators.
He also added that the ICT University will be in partnership with all the leading institutions in ICT throughout the world.
“I had the privilege of speaking with a lot of operators throughout the world, including Motorola, Mark Zuckerberg etc. They have promised to partner with us and bring in a lot funding and logistics to sustain such a university. This will provide world class hands to train experts in telecoms industry”
Stakeholders To Tag Along
Meanwhile, the ministry has started an administrative process in the establishment of the 21st century university. This is to ensure that all the stakeholders were carried along.
Also, he said that as soon as the process was completed, Nigerians would see the birth of the institution.
“This will be the fastest means to create employment for our teeming youths. It will also improve access and enhance quality of service delivery and affordability in our country.”
“I took a memo to Mr President on it and he asked me to get the input of the Ministry of Education and the NUC. I am glad to say that I got positive inputs from the two agencies. We are at the stage of going to the FEC for approval.”
“As soon as we get the approval of FEC, we will set up an implementation committee. Within three months, we should be able to take off.”
“The infrastructures are on ground because it is an existing institution that we are set to transform to the ICT University.”
