By The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has asserted that an investment in UI is an investment in the future of education in Nigeria.
He added that any conversation about the University of Ibadan, being the first university in Nigeria, implies that the future of Nigerian education is under discussion.
Professor Adebowale made this assertion at the handing over of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Digital ICT Park to the University of Ibadan by the NCC.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the edifice is not merely a building but a beacon of progress, a catalyst for innovation, and a transformative gift to the premier university—and indeed to the future of Nigeria.
He appreciated the NCC, under the leadership of the Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO, Dr Aminu Maida, for the Commission’s foresight and commitment to national development through digital empowerment, by funding and establishing the state-of-the-art facility.
Professor Adebowale said the facilities in the building would empower cutting-edge research, revolutionise teaching and learning, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, drive digital solutions for society, and enhance university administration.
He stated that UI recognises its pivotal role in preparing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem solvers equipped to navigate and shape the future.
He noted that the NCC Digital ICT Park was donated at a crucial moment that perfectly aligns with the strategic vision of the university to become a world-class institution for research, innovation, and digital excellence.
The VC assured that the University of Ibadan would manage, maintain, and maximise the potential of the facility with unwavering commitment, establish robust governance structures, and forge partnerships to ensure its sustainability and extend its impact to generations to come.
The Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO, Dr Aminu Maida, was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr Abraham Oshadami, who stated that the University of Ibadan occupies a distinguished place in national history and continues to be a beacon of intellectual and societal progress.
Engr Oshadami, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, said the occasion evoked a profound sense of pride and connection, as UI represents more than a place of learning.
He noted that it is a launchpad for pioneering ideas and a catalyst for Africa’s digital transformation, adding that what begins at UI has the power to reshape developments across the continent.
According to Engr Oshadami, the facility is one of six flagship digital infrastructure projects strategically established by the Commission in select institutions across the country.
It forms an integral part of the NCC’s broader agenda to foster innovation, strengthen research capacity, and accelerate the development of Nigeria’s digital economy.
He urged the university management, student community, public officials, and the wider Ibadan populace to ensure the maintenance, sustainability, and optimal use of the Digital ICT Park, and to embrace the infrastructure as a shared asset that will serve both the University of Ibadan and the broader community for generations to come.
The Registrar of the University of Ibadan, Mr Ganiyu Oke Saliu, thanked the NCC for the magnificent edifice and the support given over the years.
He affirmed that the facility is truly state-of-the-art and expressed confidence that it will significantly enhance the university’s digital capabilities and innovation potential.
The Director, Information Technology and Media Services, Mrs Abiodun O. Alao, appreciated the NCC for its unwavering commitment to education and generosity, which have provided a space where learning can flourish, ideas can be nurtured, and dreams can take flight—serving as a foundation for the future of countless young minds.
Mrs Alao highlighted numerous interventions and contributions made by the NCC to the University of Ibadan, stating that its support has significantly enhanced digital capacity, learning infrastructure, and international competitiveness at the institution.
She explained that the concept of digital innovation aligns with the university’s drive for a SMART UI, which has already laid the foundation for the introduction of smart ID cards for students and classroom attendance solutions, among other developments.
The Director said the university looks forward to more interventions from the NCC and other agencies or organisations that would help realise the UI vision powered by technology.
The Digital ICT Park features a 100-seat main hall, five dedicated ICT hubs, a 24-seater lounge with eight dual-computer workstations, multiple shared workspaces, meeting rooms, a conference room, dining room, server room, and administrative offices.
The commissioning of the NCC Digital ICT Park and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque were performed by Engr Abraham Oshadami, accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor.
The university management team, Deans of Faculties, Directors of Centres and Institutes, other NCC representatives, Staff, Students’ Union executives, and members of the University Community witnessed the ceremony.
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