NITDA: 271 Nigerian schools get IT infrastructure support

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said it has equipped over 271 tertiary institutions with IT infrastructure to develop a world-class workforce for Nigeria. NITDA said it is also promoting the Rural Information Technology Centre (RITC) project, to bring IT to the doorstep of Nigerians by setting up over 395 centres to ensure that under-served areas get access to IT infrastructure. [blockquote right="pull-right" cite="-NITDA, Nigeria's IT Policy Agency"]“RITCs are built to provide a community-based platform for youth empowerment through e-learning and capacity building in Information Technology and community-based trainings in IT-enabled outsourcing and promoting equitable access to assets (education, information, and technology) and each centre is equipped with computers and accessories, Internet facilities with alternative power source provided via solar power.”[/blockquote] NITDA said that its “IT Infrastructure for Tertiary Institutions” for tertiary educational centres in the country was developed after a study that showed that such schools will be unable to take up the task on their own. “This project is as a follow-up on a study carried out to access the status of human capital and infrastructure in educational institutions, where it was observed that as a result of low budgetary allocations, schools, especially tertiary institutions lack standard computer labs and resource centres”, the agency said in a statement underscoring that the programme will be sustained. According to NITDA, the nation’s IT Policy implementing agency, “since inception of the project by NITDA, 271 institutions have benefitted across the nation and more are still being planned for this fiscal year.” NITDA said that the project equips educational institutions in Nigeria with basic IT tools and facilities that would enhance the global competitiveness of the students and graduates. “The deployment includes IT equipments such as computers, servers, Internet access and solar power backup which are integrated to create a high class IT environment in the institutions”, according to NITDA. Also, an e-learning package which is meant to enable users to train themselves on a variety of subjects from secondary school level upwards is also included in each of the centres. NITDA to leads drive for Millennium Development Goals According to the agency, “the deployment of IT Infrastructure in institutions is another of NITDA’s several intervention schemes of achieving the Millennium Development Goals by providing a platform whereby students can have access to IT facilities.” In a related development, NITDA said that its RITC project that started in 2009 has been established in over 395 centres so far. The aim is to have at least one centre in each of the 774 local government areas of the country, NITDA said noting that the programme also seeks to provide Internet service in rural and underserved communities in Nigeria. “RITCs are built to provide a community-based platform for youth empowerment through e-learning and capacity building in Information Technology and community-based trainings in IT-enabled outsourcing and promoting equitable access to assets (education, information, and technology) and each centre is equipped with computers and accessories, Internet facilities with alternative power source provided via solar power.” NITDA said the e-learning package is meant to enable users to train themselves on a variety of subjects from secondary school level upwards. “They also help to minimise migration from rural to urban areas by providing the means for rural dwellers and the semi-urban population to become part of the evolving knowledge-based society and to participate in an economy that is driven by Information Technology.” According to NITDA, "RITCs are built to provide a community-based platform for youth empowerment through e-learning and capacity building in Information Technology." Under the plan, NITDA reckons that RITCs will promote decentralisation, enable local administrative units to be upgraded, plan development activities, and enable Local Governments to work closely with NGOs and Community organisations.

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