Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has commissioned a state-of-the-art Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)-sponsored ICT Experience Centre, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s drive toward digital transformation and modern, technology-driven learning.
The facility, inaugurated on Friday, was described by stakeholders as a major leap in strengthening ICT capacity, innovation, and global competitiveness among Nigerian undergraduates.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Chancellor of EKSU, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, described the project as the fulfilment of a 45-year institutional aspiration aimed at repositioning the university for the demands of the digital economy.
He said the ICT Experience Centre represents more than physical infrastructure, but a strategic investment in knowledge production, innovation, and practical skills development for students.
“For the greater part of EKSU’s 45-year history, the dream of having a world-class ICT Experience Centre remained unrealised. Today, through the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the support of key stakeholders, that dream has become a reality,” he said.
Dr. Olowolafe commended ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s education sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that increased budgetary allocation and intervention programmes were beginning to reshape access and quality in tertiary education.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s ₦3.52 trillion allocation to education in the 2025 budget, describing it as a strong indicator of renewed commitment to human capital development.
The Chancellor also pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a landmark intervention, noting that it had eased financial pressure on students and expanded access to higher education across the country.
According to him, millions of applications have been processed under the scheme, with substantial disbursements already made to beneficiaries in tertiary institutions nationwide.
He further disclosed that the establishment of new specialised federal universities in key sectors such as medicine, engineering, agriculture, and technology reflects a broader strategy to align education with national development needs.
The event attracted high-profile dignitaries, including the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; Governor Biodun Oyebanji; the Ekiti State First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; and the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, among others.
Dr. Olowolafe commended TETFund for its sustained intervention in tertiary education infrastructure, describing the agency as a critical driver of academic advancement across Nigerian universities.
He said the newly commissioned ICT centre would enhance digital literacy, improve research output, and equip students with relevant technological competencies required in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Addressing students, the Chancellor urged them to maximise the opportunities provided by the facility, stressing that discipline, curiosity, and innovation would be essential to their success in a technology-driven world.
“Every investment in education is ultimately about you. This facility is your gateway to global opportunities. Use it responsibly and purposefully,” he advised.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ayodele; the Ekiti State Government; and TETFund in ensuring the successful delivery of the project.
The commissioning ceremony concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to deepen investments in digital infrastructure and academic excellence, with optimism that the ICT centre would significantly boost innovation and technological capacity within EKSU and beyond.
