Tinubu Commissions TETFund-RHI ICT Centre at Kwara State University, Expands Digital Skills Initiative
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has commissioned the TETFund/Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) ICT Experience Centre at Kwara State University, Malete, as part of efforts to expand access to digital skills, technology-driven learning and innovation among Nigerian youths.
The commissioning took place on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, with the First Lady represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima.
Kwara State University is one of six tertiary institutions selected for the pilot phase of the ICT Experience Centre intervention, with one institution representing each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Similar centres have been commissioned at Ekiti State University on May 30, the University of Cross River State on September 4, and Anambra State Polytechnic on September 10, 2026. The centres at Kaduna State University and Taraba State University have also been completed and are scheduled for commissioning.
The First Lady disclosed that the intervention would be expanded to 15 additional tertiary institutions across the country, with construction currently ongoing at the beneficiary institutions.
The next phase will cover institutions in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Yobe and Zamfara states.
Represented at the commissioning, Senator Tinubu described the ICT Experience Centre as a platform for “opportunity, innovation, knowledge, and hope” for young people in Kwara State and beyond.
She said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, education, innovation and economic transformation.
According to her, the centre features modern ICT laboratories, interactive digital displays, conference facilities and exhibition spaces designed to support learning, creativity, research and technological advancement.
She urged students to take ownership of the facility and maximise the opportunities it provides, stressing the need for them to deploy technology positively to transform their lives, communities and the nation.
Senator Tinubu commended the Chairman of the TETFund Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, CFR, and the management of TETFund for their collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative and continued investment in infrastructure and human capital development across tertiary institutions.
She also commended the Vice-Chancellor and management of Kwara State University for supporting the successful completion of the project, expressing confidence that the facility would be properly maintained and effectively utilised by present and future generations of students.
Speaking at the event, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, urged the university management to leverage the new ICT centre to promote innovation, create jobs and develop practical solutions to societal challenges.
AbdulRazaq stressed that universities should go beyond producing graduates to generating ideas capable of improving lives and addressing developmental challenges.
He thanked the First Lady for facilitating the intervention through the Renewed Hope Initiative and commended TETFund for its investment in the institution.
The wife of the Kwara State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Ambassador Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, described the centre as a significant opportunity for young people in the state.
She said the facility would equip young Nigerians with digital skills, help them participate in the digital economy and reduce barriers to acquiring functional skills.
Olufolake Abdulrazaq commended the Renewed Hope Initiative and TETFund for making the project possible, urging beneficiaries to use the centre effectively to learn, develop their skills and prepare for future opportunities.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Architect Sonny Echono, described the centre as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s digital future.
Represented by TETFund’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Architect Olajide Babatunde, Echono said the facility would expose young Nigerians to critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and other emerging technologies.
He said the intervention would help bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap, improve graduate employability and align the country’s education system with evolving global technological demands.
The Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for selecting the institution for the intervention.
Jimoh described the ICT centre as a significant investment in Nigeria’s future, saying the project had brought renewed hope to Malete while strengthening the university’s relationship with its host community.
He added that the facility would enhance research, promote entrepreneurship and encourage greater community participation.
The representative of the First Lady, Hajiya Nana Shettima, and other dignitaries were later conducted around the newly commissioned facility.
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