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NITDA Strengthens Drive to Build Nigeria’s Digital Universities
DG of NITDA, Abdullahi in a strategic engagement with the Vice Chancellor of the FUET, Prof Mmom
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating digital transformation across Nigeria’s higher education sector through strategic investments in digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems and digital skills development, as it moves to establish a collaborative partnership with the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Ogoni, Rivers State.
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The proposed collaboration is expected to support the university’s digital capacity while advancing the Federal Government’s broader agenda of building a knowledge-driven economy powered by research, innovation and technology-enabled education.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by the university’s management, led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, to NITDA’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
Digital Infrastructure Critical to Nigeria’s Knowledge Economy
Receiving the delegation on behalf of NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Agency’s Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building, Mr. Oladejo Olawunmi, said strengthening universities remains central to Nigeria’s digital transformation strategy.
He explained that NITDA continues to invest in programmes that equip tertiary institutions with the infrastructure and digital capabilities needed to produce globally competitive graduates capable of driving innovation and economic growth.
According to him, universities must increasingly serve as innovation hubs that nurture research, entrepreneurship and technology talent required to power Nigeria’s emerging digital economy.
Building Innovation Ecosystems Across Universities
Olawunmi noted that NITDA has consistently championed initiatives that strengthen digital capacity within higher institutions through the establishment of Information Technology Community Centres, IT Parks, Innovation Hubs and nationwide digital literacy programmes.
These interventions, he said, are designed to create vibrant innovation ecosystems that promote technology-driven research, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration.
He added that the Agency’s programmes are aligned with the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), which is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to institutionalise digital skills across Nigeria’s education system.
The framework aims to equip students with globally relevant digital competencies while preparing the future workforce for emerging technologies and evolving industry demands.
NITDA Assures Support for FUET
Olawunmi assured the university that NITDA would carefully review its requests for support, stressing that collaboration with academic institutions remains fundamental to the Agency’s mandate of developing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“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,” he said.
He further reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to forging strategic partnerships that promote digital inclusion, research excellence, innovation and workforce development in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
FUET Seeks ICT Infrastructure to Launch Technology Programmes
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, described the institution as a specialised university established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promote environmental sustainability, science, technology and innovation while addressing the developmental aspirations of the Ogoni people.
Despite being in its formative stage, he disclosed that the university has completed its master plan, academic brief and institutional framework, receiving approval to commence academic activities across six faculties:
- Engineering and Technology
- Environmental Sciences
- Natural and Applied Sciences
- Agriculture
- Allied Health Sciences
- Management Sciences
Professor Mmom, however, identified inadequate ICT infrastructure as one of the institution’s most pressing challenges.
Computing Facilities Essential for Future-Ready Graduates
The Vice Chancellor explained that while the university has established departments in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cyber Security and Information Technology, it currently lacks the digital infrastructure necessary to deliver quality technology education.
According to him, the institution urgently requires computers, digital laboratories, workstations and reliable broadband connectivity to support practical teaching, research and innovation.
“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,” Professor Mmom said.
He appealed to NITDA to support the university with critical ICT infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives that would enable students to acquire industry-relevant digital skills while stimulating research and technological innovation.
Supporting Nigeria’s Digital Talent Pipeline
The proposed partnership underscores the growing importance of collaboration between government agencies and universities in developing Nigeria’s digital talent pipeline.
As emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data science and software engineering continue to reshape industries, higher institutions are expected to play a pivotal role in producing graduates capable of competing in the global digital economy.
By investing in digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystems within universities, stakeholders believe Nigeria can accelerate research commercialisation, strengthen entrepreneurship and build the skilled workforce required to sustain long-term economic growth.
Partnership to Advance Digital Education and Innovation
The meeting concluded with both institutions expressing optimism that the proposed collaboration would strengthen digital education, expand research and innovation, improve technology-driven learning and contribute to the Federal Government’s vision of building a resilient, inclusive and globally competitive digital economy.
The partnership also reinforces NITDA’s broader strategy of leveraging higher education institutions as catalysts for digital transformation, innovation and human capital development across Nigeria.
