Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has commissioned a state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Experience Centre provided by the the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

The commissioning of the facility marked the fulfilment of a 45-year-old dream of the institution drive towards digital transformation and technology-driven education.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Chancellor of EKSU, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, described the facility as a major step towards equipping students with the digital skills needed in a rapidly evolving global economy.

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

Welcoming the First Lady to the university, Olowolafe commended her commitment to education and youth development, noting that her presence reflected the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen the nation’s education sector.

He said the ICT Experience Centre would serve 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 unrealised. Today, through the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the support of the First Lady, that dream has become a reality,” he said.

The Chancellor further commended the  allocation of N3.52 trillion to education in the 2025 budget describing it as evidence of government’s commitment to educational development and reform.

He also commended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a transformative intervention aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education.

According to him, the student loan scheme has processed more than 1.7 million applications and disbursed about N282 billion to over 1.5 million students in tertiary institutions nationwide.

Olowolafe 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 also commended Senator Tinubu for complementing government efforts through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which he said had provided scholarships, digital skills training for women, support for students and raised over N25 billion for the National Library project.

Speaking on the role of TETFund, the chancellor described the agency as a critical vehicle for extending educational investments and infrastructure development to tertiary institutions across the country.

He said the newly commissioned facility would provide students with access to modern technological tools and opportunities to acquire skills required to compete in the global digital economy.

Addressing the students, Olowolafe urged them to maximise the opportunities offered by the centre, stressing that it was established to prepare them for a future shaped by technology, artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation.

“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.

He acknowledged the contributions of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ayodele; Governor Oyebanji; the Ekiti State First Lady; and the Executive Secretary of TETFund towards advancing educational infrastructure and development in the institution.

The ICT Experience Centre is expected to enhance digital learning, research, innovation and technological capacity development within the university community.