The Federal Government has embarked on a significant project to boost internet connectivity in universities across Nigeria. The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the launch of the fibre-to-hostel and solar power projects at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), with the goal of ensuring 24-hour internet access in these academic institutions by the end of 2026.
Tijani revealed that UniAbuja is the first among seven universities chosen for the initial phase of this transformative initiative. He expressed confidence that all seven universities would be fully connected by July.
“This initiative we are launching today marks the first of seven universities in the pilot scheme, and we anticipate completing connections to all seven by the end of July,”
he stated.
Highlighting the significance of reliable internet access for students’ academic success and national development, Tijani emphasized,
“With this access, students won’t just improve in their academic pursuits—they’ll also play a vital role in shaping the future our president envisions for the country.”
Morufu Alausa, Minister of Education, reiterated the government’s dedication to fostering conducive learning environments. He underscored President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to empowering educational institutions nationwide. Alausa noted that special institutions like UniAbuja were already benefitting from uninterrupted electricity supply through renewable energy projects.
Alausa elaborated on President Tinubu’s vision for enhancing power supply across educational institutions:
“By next year’s end, nearly all special institutions will be equipped with mini-grids to ensure uninterrupted power supply.”
This reliable electricity infrastructure is crucial for supporting seamless internet connectivity within these campuses.
In her address, Patricia Lar, Acting Vice-Chancellor of UniAbuja, commended the initiative as a game-changer for students’ accessibility to information and personal growth. She acknowledged how deploying fibre optics directly to student hostels coupled with solar-powered backup systems would positively impact learning outcomes and student experiences.
“This is a transformative project that will enable students from all backgrounds to access data for learning, creativity, and personal development,”
Lar remarked appreciatively.
“We appreciate the deployment of fibre to our hostels, especially as it is complemented by the solar power backup system now operational on our campus.”
The concerted efforts by the Federal Government demonstrate a commitment to bridging digital divides and enhancing educational opportunities through improved connectivity infrastructure in academic settings. As these projects unfold across various universities in Nigeria over time,{” “}students can look forward{” “}to reaping{” “}the benefits{” “}of enhanced{” “}accessibility{” “}and technological advancement within their learning environments.{“”}
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