USPF Hands Over State-of-the-Art ICT Centre to OGITECH
By Patience Ikpeme
The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has officially handed over a cutting-edge Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project to the Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa.
The newly inaugurated Emerging Technologies Centre (ETC), located on the institute’s campus, is designed to enhance the learning experience for students and provide a platform for digital innovation, research, and development (R&D), ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.
The handover ceremony, which took place on Thursday, was highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the USPF and OGITECH. This MoU aims to ensure the effective utilization and long-term sustainability of the ICT project. The ETC is a key access project of the USPF and represents a significant step towards achieving the government’s policy objectives of bridging the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion across Nigeria.
The Centre is equipped with 100 desktop computers, emerging technology applications, bandwidth, and connectivity tools, providing students and faculty members with access to state-of-the-art technology and resources.
Yomi Arowosafe, the USPF Secretary, stated that the Centre is more than just infrastructure; it represents a vision and an investment in the future of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole. He reiterated the USPF’s mandate, under the guidance of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, to provide ICT access to unserved and underserved communities across the country.
Arowosafe highlighted the USPF’s strategic implementation of various access and connectivity projects across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, which have positively impacted ICT utilization and deepened connectivity.
He noted that OGITECH, with its student population of 9,300, is a leading technology institution in Nigeria, making it a fitting partner for this project. He expressed confidence that the ETC will not only enhance the learning experience but also foster innovation, research, and development.
The USPF Secretary outlined the expected impact of the project, stating that it will provide students with opportunities to develop skills in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
Furthermore, it will enable faculty members to integrate technology into their teaching and research and facilitate collaboration with other institutions and industry partners. Arowosafe also envisioned the ETC as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, providing a platform for startups and small businesses to incubate and grow. He affirmed the USPF’s commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and expressed anticipation for the project’s positive impact.
Arowosafe explained that the MoU signing is a crucial part of the USPF’s sustainability strategy for future projects. It ensures that beneficiary organizations, groups, and communities take ownership of the projects and are committed to maintaining them long after the USPF handover.
Dr. Abiodun Oluseye, the Rector of OGITECH, expressed his gratitude to the NCC and the USPF for choosing the institute as the location for the ETC. He pledged that the project would be utilized effectively to benefit not only the institute but the entire community. He also affirmed OGITECH’s commitment to the sustainability of the project, as outlined in the joint MoU with the USPF. “We will ensure the sustainability of the project and work towards putting it into effective use for the benefits of the entire community,” he stated.
The USPF was established by the Federal Government to achieve national policy goals for universal access and service to ICTs in rural, unserved, and underserved areas of Nigeria. The Fund is managed to provide the widest possible access to affordable telecommunications services for greater social equity and inclusion for all Nigerians.
