By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Ekiti State University has commissioned a new Information and Communication Technology Experience Centre sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, with the institution’s Chancellor describing the facility as the realisation of a 45-year-old dream.

The commissioning ceremony on Friday was attended by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his wife, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; the Executive Secretary of TETFund; members of the Renewed Hope Initiative; and university officials.

Welcoming the First Lady, EKSU Chancellor Dr. Tunji Olowolafe said the centre was more than a physical structure, describing it as “a gateway to digital literacy, innovation, and practical learning for students.”

“For the greater part of EKSU’s 45-year history, the dream of having a world class ICT Experience Centre remained unrealized. Today, through the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the support of the first lady, that dream has become a reality,” he said.

Dr Olowolafe praised what he described as transformative achievements of the Tinubu administration in the education sector, noting that the Federal Government allocated ₦3.52 trillion to education in the 2025 budget. He also commended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, as a revolutionary intervention that had processed more than 1.7 million loan applications and disbursed approximately ₦282 billion to over 1.5 million students across tertiary institutions.

The Chancellor further disclosed that eight specialised federal universities focused on medicine, agriculture, engineering, and technology had been established within the first three years of the administration.

He commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her role through the Renewed Hope Initiative, citing scholarships, digital skills programmes for women, and fundraising efforts that reportedly generated over ₦25 billion for the National Library project.

Addressing students, Dr Olowolafe urged them to approach the facility with discipline and curiosity. “Every policy, every intervention, and every investment in education is ultimately about you. This facility is your gateway to opportunities in the modern world. Use it with discipline, curiosity, and determination,” he said.

The new centre is expected to strengthen digital learning, research, innovation and technology capacity development across the university community.