The Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (FUMMSA), has commended Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu for supporting the development of digital infrastructure at the university as construction and other projects gather pace at its permanent site.

Salisu, who represents Ogun Central Senatorial District and chairs the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, inspected the institution’s permanent campus, including a newly completed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre facilitated through his intervention.

The centre is the first completed building at the permanent site, coming less than two years after the university commenced operations.

The senator began the inspection at the university’s temporary campus at Central Avenue, Kemta Estate, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, before proceeding to the permanent site, where he assessed other ongoing and completed projects.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Usman Mohammad Shanawa, who led members of the council and management, described the ICT centre as an important milestone in the university’s transition to its permanent campus.

Shanawa thanked Salisu for the intervention, saying the facility would support digital learning, medical education, research and innovation.

“We sincerely appreciate Senator Salisu for his support. What we are witnessing today is significant because this ICT Centre represents the first building at our permanent site,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to sustain their support for the institution as it develops the infrastructure required to fulfil its mandate.

Speaking during the inspection, Salisu said his commitment to educational development was influenced by his personal experience of the transformative power of education.

“The only reason why I became what I am today is because I am educated. Education changed my life, and that is why I believe strongly that we must continue to invest in education, technology and opportunities for our young people,” he said.

Salisu said the ICT centre was designed to strengthen the university’s digital capacity and provide students and researchers with appropriate technological infrastructure.

He said technology had become central to modern education and research, making the facility particularly important to a specialised institution devoted to medicine and medical sciences.

“We are in an era where ICT is no longer optional. It is central to education, research and development. For a university that is focused on medicine and medical sciences, providing the right digital infrastructure is extremely important,” he said.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof Adebola Ogunbiyi, who spoke on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Fatiu Abiola Arogundade, also praised the intervention.

Ogunbiyi said the university had made progress since commencing operations and credited its governing council and management with advancing its development.

She noted that Salisu’s background in computer science and technology had given him an appreciation of the importance of digital infrastructure in contemporary education.

According to her, ICT would play an increasingly important role in teaching, learning, research and innovation, particularly in medical education.

She assured the senator that the university would put the facility to effective use as it expands its academic and research programmes.

During the visit, Salisu also inspected other projects at the permanent site and held discussions with the university’s leadership on its infrastructural requirements.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the senator and university authorities to discuss areas where legislative and institutional support could contribute to the development of medical education, research and infrastructure.

FUMMSA is a specialised federal institution in Ogun State established to train healthcare professionals and promote medical education, research and innovation.

The completion of the ICT centre is expected to strengthen the university’s digital infrastructure as it continues the gradual development of its permanent campus.