The Olowu of Owu-Kingdom, Oba (Prof) Saka Adelola Matemilola and Chairman of Nigerian Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Shuaib Afolabi Salis have tasked academic staff and students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, to come up with Information and Communication innovative solutions to the needs of the society, following a formal launching of the institution's 10Gbps Smart Campus Fibre Infrastructure to enhance digital learning, research and innovation.
They gave the task on Thursday during the unveiling of the ICT Infrastructure in collaboration with The Advanced Technological Incubation and Research Centre (ATIRC) , which stakeholders described as Nigeria's fastest campus Internet facility considering its 10Gigabites per second speed
Speaking at the launch, Chairman of the occasion, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, described the project as a strategic investment in technology-driven education
The monarch expressed confidence that the infrastructure would provide students with practical technological experience and opportunities to develop innovative solutions to societal challenges.
Oba Matemilola explained that the infrastructure would strengthen research, by providing the digital backbone required for world class academic work.
"It will strengthen research by providing the digital backbone required for world-class academic work.
"Inadequate digital infrastructure has limited many Nigerian tertiary institutions in research, innovation and global competitiveness.
"I believe that the smart campus project will bridge the gap through high speed connectivity, technology transfer and stronger academia - Industry collaboration," he stated
The traditional ruler urged stakeholders to ensure proper maintenance and effective utilisation of the facility to maximise its benefits.
Oba Matemilola later presented 40 pieces of telecommunication gadget to further enhance communication on campus
Similarly, Sen. Shuaib Salisu representing Ogun Central, described the unveiling as a major milestone in Nigeria's drive for technology-enabled education.
He said MAPOLY had evolved into a globally recognised institution for technological, scientific and entrepreneurial education, charging both academic staff and students to begin to initiate ICT ideas capable of providing practical solutions to various needs of the people
The senator disclosed that he had sponsored over 2,000 youths in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital content creation, while providing beneficiaries with laptops.
He urged students to maximise the opportunities offered by the infrastructure.
"While its full impact may not be immediate, it will deliver long-term benefits for future generations and national development," Salisu said.
He then announced the donation of 25 pieces of laptops to kick-start the Artificial intelligence Research Centre in addition to the support of relevant agency of the Federal Government
In his address, Mr Balogun Khalil, Director, Advanced Technological Innovation and Research Centre, said the 10Gbps internet infrastructure would support AI, cybersecurity, research, incubation and digital learning.
Khalil said Nigeria's technical education faced infrastructure deficits despite abundant talent, adding that fibre last-mile connectivity had been extended to MAPOLY classrooms to provide reliable high-speed internet access.
Earlier, the Rector of MAPOLY, Dr Babatunde Jolaosho, described the infrastructure as a landmark achievement for innovation, technological advancement and technical education.
"This facility places us more prominently on the global stage than ever before.
"Its impact will extend beyond the institution to contribute meaningfully to national and global development," he added.
Addressing concerns over cybercrime, the rector said adequate safeguards had been integrated into the system.
"All these facilities are built in to check the antics of negative users. The objective is to ensure that the facility remains a platform for development and progress," he assured
President of the Student Union Temitope Afolabi was full of appreciation for the ICT Infrastructure, saying it will ensure seamless access to Internet facility by students for both learning and various class assignments, particularly research projects
The event which has its theme: "Accelerating Nigeria's Digital Economy", Bridging the Infrastructure Gap in Higher Education", was also powered by Huawei, Itel Energy and one of the country's telecommunication giants, MTN
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