First Lady Commissions N1bn ICT Centre at UNICROSS, Gives Students Free Laptops

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu

First Lady Commissions N1bn ICT Centre at UNICROSS, Gives Students Free Laptops

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned a N1 billion state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Digital Experience Centre at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) in Calabar, providing students with free access to laptops, desktops and other digital resources . The facility, delivered through the Renewed Hope Initiative in partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) , is designed to expand access to digital tools, particularly for economically disadvantaged students who cannot afford personal devices .

Commissioning the facility on Friday at the university’s main campus in Calabar, Senator Tinubu said the centre would provide students with uninterrupted opportunities to learn, create and build digital skills without the constraints of device ownership or unstable electricity . She emphasised that the initiative is particularly important for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who cannot afford laptops and desktops required for effective learning in today’s technology-driven environment . “No student should miss digital learning for lack of a laptop,” she stated .

According to the First Lady, the project is part of a nationwide pilot initiative involving selected tertiary institutions across the country’s six geopolitical zones . The beneficiary institutions in the pilot phase include Ekiti State University; Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra State; Kaduna State University; Kwara State University; UNICROSS (hosting the South-South zone); and Taraba State University . The facility at UNICROSS will serve as the South-South hub for the initiative .

READ ALSO:

The Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, commended the initiative, describing the ICT Digital Experience Centre as a significant investment in the digital empowerment of students and the advancement of education in the state . He noted that the facility would help bridge the digital divide among students while equipping young people with the skills required to compete effectively in an increasingly technology-driven global economy . Governor Otu expressed gratitude to the First Lady and TETFund for choosing UNICROSS as the South-South beneficiary institution .

The Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, disclosed that UNICROSS was among six institutions nationwide selected as pioneer beneficiaries of the strategic intervention under the Fund’s 2024 activities . Masari said the Board approved an ICT Experience Centre in each of the six geopolitical zones at a total cost of N1 billion per zone, with UNICROSS hosting the South-South centre . He explained that the Fund approved the N1 billion allocation for each of the six centres as part of its 2024 intervention budget .

Masari explained that the centres are designed to equip students and lecturers with critical digital skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, robotics and software development, while exposing them to emerging technologies applicable to sectors including agriculture, healthcare, security, media and mining . According to him, the intervention is aimed at enhancing graduate employability, fostering innovation and preparing Nigerian youths to compete effectively in the global technology-driven economy .

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the project reflects the Fund’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure in tertiary institutions and expanding access to technology-driven learning . He stressed that the centres should not be viewed merely as physical infrastructure but as platforms for creating opportunities for young people and advancing Nigeria’s vision of a knowledge-based and technologically empowered economy . Echono noted that the centre would provide students with access to modern digital resources and create an enabling environment for research, learning and skills development, with particular focus on students who lack personal digital devices .

Echono commended the First Lady for championing initiatives focused on youth empowerment and acknowledged the cooperation of UNICROSS management in ensuring the successful delivery of the project . He urged the university authorities to ensure that the equipment and facilities are properly maintained, secured and regularly upgraded to preserve the centre’s value and sustainability . Echono assured that TETFund would continue to support interventions aimed at improving the quality of tertiary education and equipping Nigerian graduates with the competencies required in the emerging digital economy .

The N1 billion centre is expected to operate with free access to laptops, desktops and other digital resources for students, helping to reduce inequality in access to education and technology . The facility is also equipped with uninterrupted power supply to address the challenge of unstable electricity, ensuring students can access digital resources without interruption . The centre features modern workstations, high-speed internet connectivity and a conducive learning environment designed to foster innovation and creativity .

The project aligns with the Federal Government’s broader vision of leveraging technology to drive economic growth and create employment opportunities for Nigerian youth . By providing students with access to cutting-edge digital tools and training, the initiative aims to produce a new generation of graduates equipped with the skills needed to compete in the global digital economy .