By Emeka Aginam
While Nigeria awaits the outcome of feasibility studies to determine the viability of a science and IT park at the Oshodi, Lagos campus of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), President and CEO of the institute, Professor Raymond Akwule has said with optimism that  Nigerian students will be the biggest beneficiaries of the park, adding that the initiative would prepare them for the challenges ahead.

Professor Ramond Akwule, President/CEO, DBI

A science and technology park is an area with a collection of facilities dedicated to advancement of technology on a business footing. DBI currently operates training campuses in Abuja, Kano, and Oshodi in Lagos, and is striving to convert part of the Oshodi campus to a science and technology park. DBI’s Oshodi campus, it was learnt  has several decisive advantages which makes  it attractive for the development of a science and technology park.

The project aims to attract investment to the Nigerian market by local and international ICT companies by providing reliable clean power, bandwidth facilities, and business and regulatory incentives. The Oshodi campus, according to keen observers  is ideal for such a development owing to its existing connections to an undersea fiber optic cable, and existing rights of way and facilities.

It would be recalled that the  DBI  had recently received a grant of  $404,000  from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for a feasibility study aimed at identifying clean and sustainable sources of energy.

This feasibility study, CyberLIFE learnt  will assist DBI in determining the ideal ownership and management structure for the project, specifying infrastructure and equipment needs, including renewable energy, and creating a capital investment and implementation plan.

The study will require the contractor to assess the project’s anticipated energy needs, and make recommendations concerning the implementation of renewable energy solutions, building on DBI’s strong commitment to technological innovation and renewable energy solutions.

The  grant, according to Akwule in an online interaction with CyberLIFE  was awarded to the Digital Bridge Institute to support the expansion of DBI’s Oshodi campus in Lagos.

“Our students will be the biggest beneficiaries because they will study and participate in research and development that will be continuous on that campus. Science and IT parks usually  have excellent telecommunication and IT networks, and good infrastructure, including power, water etc.Our Lagos campus is ideal because we are sitting on a fiber node.

“In addition to our on-campus training facilities, DBI has access to the SAT-3 undersea fiber optic cable, existing right-of-way for new submarine cables, existing facilities, and direct access to the large and rapidly developing markets in Lagos,” he said  adding that,  “we look forward to co-operating with USTDA on this venture.”

IT Parks, according to him,  are usually based on academic/university campuses because of their research and development orientation and the need for the constant requirement for intellectual input.  “In essence technology businesses reside in academic environments for the purpose of research  and innovation that will lead to products and services which as they mature are then transited into the commercial environment.

“The USTDA grant is for the purpose of conducting a feasibility study to determing the viability of such a park at our Lagos campus. The project will only go forward if the feasibility study shows that it is viable.

“For now it is simply a feasibility study to see if the IT Park project will be viable.  The study will recommend what approach to take,” Professor Akwule explained.

The former  US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders lauded DBI’s commitment to the innovative use of renewable energy technologies and how these projects reinforce the cooperative relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria.

“These USTDA-funded feasibility studies will assist Nigeria with its efforts to evaluate renewable energy alternatives and create an environment conducive to business and investment,” she said  adding  U.S. technology can be a driving force behind these projects.
It would be recalled that the  world’s first science park started in the early 1950s and foreshadowed the community known today as the Silicon Valley.

While parks vary widely in size and shape, from urban high-rises to suburban or rural locations, a typical American science park is located in a suburban community with a population of less than 500,000 and is operated by a university or a university-affiliated non-profit organization. The companies in a typical science park are primarily private sector, but the science park is also home to university and government facilities.