The Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is to provide Technology facilities to boost the relevance of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria as the world moves toward new normal.
This is in line with the blueprint of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy of the Nigerian government.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr. Pantami stated this during a visit led by the Vice-Chancellor, ABU Zaria Professor Kabir Bala to seek the intervention of the Ministry in other areas of ICT to enhance research and learning and appreciate the various Federal Government intervention projects stationed on the campus.
The projects were carried out by Nigerian Communications Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, and Universal Service Provision Fund; under the purview of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
Dr. Pantami who thanked the delegation for the visit also, promised to fast track provision of ICT needs of the institution in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education by deploying state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure in the School.
He reiterated that with technological advancement there is need for the University to review it’s curriculum which were mostly formulated in the 19th Century stating that more proactive steps is needed in transforming the educational systems digitally and inline with global standards.
Pantami disclosed that the government is also working with the British Commission to enhance online learning.
He reemphasized the need for skills for jobs instead of certificate, noting that “the problem in Nigeria is not unemployment but un-employability.
We have over 1000 slots in the sector but these jobs are filled by
expatriates because they are better skill-wise.But there are also young people today with technology knowledge who can do better than a PhD holder in the field of ICT because of the skill acquired.
“Hence the need for institutions to collaborate to ensure graduates have the needed skills for employability and success by focusing on what should be the specific innovations, programmes and approaches to improve the graduate employability in Nigeria” Pantami stated.
According to him this will bridge the gap between certificate, encourage and promote local and indigenous content development and participation.
The Minister also promised to assist the school once their request to get his table through the relevant Agencies under the purview of the Ministry.
He said National Information and Communications Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) Phase II project which is progress and
“At the completion of the project, it will deepen the broadband penetration in Nigeria, It will also improve the internet and network communications experience of not just agencies of government, but of the entire nation.
“My plan is to ensure that all Federal Universities in Nigeria are connected to Fiber Optic before the end of this administration as all plans have been concluded,Pantami reiterated.
Speaking on the needs of the School, Professor Sahalu Junaidu who is the Acting Director, Iya Abubakar Institute of Information and Communication Technology of ABU, requested for the completion of the 5000 ICT Centre initiated by the Engineer Austen Olusegun Oniwon, former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
He also requested for the extension of optic fiber for the institution including more Computer Based Test (CBT)Centers to enable students to take exams online.
