The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy emerging technologies and ensure digital inclusion in tertiary institutions across the country.
The MoU, which process started four years ago between the two institutions, was signed on Friday in Abuja.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MoU focuses on Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure Deployment; Human Capacity Development; Deployment of Emerging Technologies and Digitisation of Services in tertiary schools.
Other areas are Project Management; IT Academy Deployment; ICT Policy Development and Emerging Technologies and Deepening of Research and Development with ICT in tertiary institutions.
The Director-General of NITDA, Dr Isa Pantami, said that the document was strategic as no institution of government could develop in isolation.
“Although most tertiary institutions are already using ICT in their activities, there is a need to upgrade to include emerging technologies to be at par with the global trend.
“So many schools in Nigeria do not have old records of their activities and when past students misplace results or certificates, they only engage in swearing court affidavits.
“However, with Block Chain technology, Artificial Intelligence and other forms of modern day technology, schools can digitise their activities which will save cost, energy and ensure efficiency.
“Our universities are becoming highly populated, but with IT, we can make easier the learning process which will de-congest the classrooms.”
He said that if the two institutions remained committed to the provisions of the MoU, the intervention would go a long way to ensure the consolidation of IT in tertiary schools.
Pantami also encouraged TETFUND to set up a committee in collaboration with NITDA to facilitate the implementation process of the MoU.
Prof, Suleiman Bogoro, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, on his part, said that quite a number of emerging technology solutions were very creative, innovative and enhanced learning.
According to Bogoro, such emerging technologies are needed for a knowledge-based economy and reduce issues of plagiarism in tertiary school programmes.
He added that the MoU would be for the benefit of the students and lecturers because ICT was required for every process of learning.
The secretary commended NITDA for providing ICT facilities in many tertiary schools across the country. (NAN)
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