Nigeria’s First Lady and Chairperson of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned a state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Community Centre at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin. The initiative, executed in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aimed to expand digital literacy and empower Nigerians, particularly women and youth.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Senator Tinubu lauded NITDA for its efforts in bridging the country’s digital divide and emphasized the importance of ICT in fostering economic growth and inclusion.
“So far, NITDA has constructed four Community ICT Centres in partnership with RHI as part of our social investment initiatives. This centre in Kwara is the second, while those in Benue and Oyo states are set for commissioning soon,” she stated.
She further revealed that Digital Economy Centres have already been established in Jigawa, Ebonyi, Cross River, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory. Additionally, 10 more centres in Abia, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Yobe, and Zamfara states are fully equipped and will soon be inaugurated.
The First Lady highlighted the role of ICT in transforming lives, particularly for women and young people.
“I am pleased to learn that these centres are making a real impact, providing young people especially women and girls—with valuable opportunities for learning, empowerment, and financial independence,” she said.
She urged local communities to take full ownership of the centre, stressed that its success depend on active engagement and proper utilization of resources.
In his remarks,Kwara State Governor, Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commended the initiative, described it as a crucial step toward equipping Nigerians with essential digital skills.
“Technology is the future, and the only way forward is to invest aggressively in digital education and infrastructure. We appreciate the First Lady and NITDA for this forward-thinking initiative,” he said.
Also in his remarks, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, emphasized that the project aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to making Nigeria a leading player in the global digital economy.
“This centre is designed to provide smart, interactive, and personalized learning experiences. It will strengthen digital fluency and equip our citizens with the skills needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven world,” Inuwa stated.
He added that the initiative was part of a broader national strategy, including integrating digital literacy into Nigeria’s formal education system.
“We are working with the Ministry of Education to embed digital skills in the school curriculum, and by the next academic session, digital education will be fully implemented across primary and secondary schools,” he disclosed.
The newly commissioned ICT centre is equipped with:
48 computer sets
E-learning facilities
Alternative power sources
High-speed internet connectivity
Other essential ICT components
Dignitaries at the event included Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the wives of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as other top government officials and state governors’ wives.
The commissioning of the Kwara ICT Centre reinforced the federal government’s commitment to expanding digital empowerment initiatives nationwide.
