First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Commissions N1bn TETFund ICT Hub, Engineering Complex at Federal Poly Oko

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Experience Centre and major academic infrastructure at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, reinforcing the Federal Government’s drive to democratize digital skills for Nigerian youths.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the institution’s main campus in Orumba North Local Government Area, brought together top federal and state dignitaries, including Anambra State Governor Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, his wife Dr. Nonye Soludo, community leaders, and tertiary education administrators.

Speaking while cutting the ribbon, the First Lady described the facility as a foundational investment in the technological capability of young Nigerians, emphasizing that access to 21st-century digital tools must never be limited by a student’s economic background. She noted that the hub will provide uninterrupted access to cutting-edge computing resources, research networks, and creative tools, preparing students to compete favorably with their international peers.

Providing background on the funding structure, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Aminu Bello Masari, revealed that the Oko facility forms part of a ₦6 billion nationwide digital empowerment intervention rolled out across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones under the Fund’s strategic development agenda. Masari explained that Federal Polytechnic Oko was chosen as the pioneer beneficiary representing the South-East zone, with ₦1 billion allocated per zonal centre to align higher education curricula with the Renewed Hope Initiative.

According to Masari, the centre is engineered to move beyond elementary computer literacy, focusing instead on advanced technological fields. Students and lecturers will receive specialized hands-on training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Software Architecture, Data Analytics, and Robotics, ensuring that tertiary institutions serve as practical incubators for local technological solutions.

Beyond the ICT pavilion, the First Lady officially opened other critical academic facilities, including an expansive Chemical Engineering Building and a purpose-built Students’ Examination Centre funded through statutory interventions.

Welcoming the delegation, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, described the commissioning as a defining chapter in the institution’s history. She commended the Federal Government, the First Lady, and TETFund for recognizing the institution’s potential and selecting it as the sole polytechnic among the national pilot beneficiaries.

Awuzie noted that the rapid rise of automation and artificial intelligence demands that tertiary training shift away from pure theory toward practical innovation. She affirmed that the new infrastructure will equip students with market-ready competencies, foster student-led entrepreneurship, and bridge the skills gap between classroom education and industry demands.