FG to provide AE-FUNAI with broadband infrastructure, fiber optics-powered internet access

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State has been selected as one of the tertiary institutions in Nigeria earmarked for broadband infrastructure and end-to-end fiber optics- powered internet access by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Myschoolnews gathered.

This decision was communicated to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Sunday Elom vide a letter from the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), referenced HMCIDE/025/GEN/Vol. 111 and dated 31st March, 2023.

The letter read in part: “In fulfillment of one of the pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS 2020 – 2030) i.e Digital Literacy and Skills by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR vision on economic development, the Federal Government intends to provide broadband infrastructure in selected tertiary and higher learning institutions

“We wish to inform you that, the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State has been earmarked as one of the beneficiaries of the broadband infrastructure projects.  Consequently, your support is required to enable its implementation by the contractor, as awarded by the Nigerian Communications Commission on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria”.

In view of this, a team from the Nigerian Communications Commission led by  Mrs. Nnenna Njoku visited the university yesterday, during which the contractor for the project, Messers, Four D Associates Limited was introduced to the University Management.

While welcoming the team, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elom thanked the Federal Government for selecting AE-FUNAI as one of the beneficiaries of the project, adding that the administration of President Buhari has favoured the university in many areas such as the provision of a hybrid solar power plant, construction of internal roads and ecological funds that tackled some ecological problems in the university.

The Vice-Chancellor through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Abel Ezeoha, noted that when completed the internet infrastructure will enhance the capacity of the university in blended learning. He added that the university is one of the 6 universities in Nigeria in partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) on blended learning – a combination of face-to-face teaching and online interactions, stressing that uninterrupted internet access will enhance blended learning activities in the university.

Professor Elom also assured the contractor of the university’s commitment to providing the necessary enabling environment to carry out the project in stipulated time and specifications.

Earlier, Mr. Okey Ikpe, the representative of the contracting firm, noted that the contract covers the laying of fiber optics within a 10 km radius and the provision of hybrid inverter with the contract time scheduled for 6 months.