The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is preparing to expand its digital infrastructure programme across its beneficiary institutions as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the organisation plans to replicate its new ICT Digital Experience Centres across more than 270 beneficiary institutions nationwide.
The initiative follows the commissioning of a ₦1 billion ICT Digital Experience Centre at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Calabar.
The centre, commissioned by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, provides students with access to laptops, desktop computers, internet connectivity and other digital resources.
Echono said the objective was to reduce the digital divide and ensure students who cannot afford personal computers or internet subscriptions can still access technology for learning and research.
The centres are also expected to support digital skills, innovation, online employment and entrepreneurship.
The UNICROSS facility is one of six pioneer centres established under the intervention, with one institution selected from each geopolitical zone.
TETFund said the centres will expose students and lecturers to areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and software development.
The fund also plans to expand the programme beyond the initial six institutions, with further facilities expected to be rolled out across beneficiary institutions.
The move comes as Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions face increasing pressure to modernise learning environments and prepare graduates for a technology-driven global economy.