Federal government Unveils High- speed Broadband initiative for University of Ilorin Students
The Nigerian Federal Government has unveiled plans to connect students at the University of Ilorin to a high-speed broadband network aimed at enhancing connectivity with other institutions across Nigeria and the globe.
The initiative, inspired by the popular international WiFi network ‘eduroam’ used in UK universities, was introduced by the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, during a visit to the university.
The project will link all university hostels to a robust internet network, ensuring seamless connectivity for students and facilitating collaboration with other universities, both locally and internationally as the initiative is designed to provide affordable and high-speed internet access, fostering innovation and academic growth within Nigeria and beyond.
Furthermore, the minister emphasized that such a platform would enable students to engage with global peers and access a wealth of research and educational resources online.
During the conference, which focused on “The Africa We Want: Leveraging Innovation and Digital Transformation,” Minister Tijani praised the University of Ilorin for its role in hosting scholars and researchers from across Africa. He highlighted the need for innovation and technology to solve “wicked problems”—complex societal issues that evolve and often create new challenges. He stressed that digital technologies, particularly in fields like Artificial Intelligence, are crucial to driving solutions, and Africalics provides a vital space for scholars to bridge the gap between research and practical application.
In his meeting with the minister’s representative, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, expressed gratitude for the government’s support in hosting the conference. He also requested further assistance to equip the university’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre and Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL) with additional computer systems to improve teaching and learning. Additionally, the Vice-Chancellor sought support for the university’s growing Artificial Intelligence initiatives, particularly following a recent AI workshop that identified students for mentorship and further development in the field.
