IBBUL, Great Anchor Educational Consortium Explore Collaboration on ICT, Entrepreneurship Training

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), is exploring partnership with Great Anchor Educational Consortium to expand access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), entrepreneurship and digital skills training, particularly for students and youths in Suleja and other parts of Niger State.

Proposed collaboration was discussed when representatives of Consortium, a CAC-registered organisation involved in education, ICT and entrepreneurship training, visited University to seek institutional affiliation and support for its programmes.

Consortium said it has been implementing similar programmes through collaborations with various educational institutions and is seeking to establish affiliated programme with IBBUL in Suleja, with possibility of extending initiative to other parts of Niger State.

Programme Coordinator, Mr. Olajide Sunday, explained partnership would help bring affordable and relevant skills closer to residents, particularly young people who may not be able to afford cost of studying at main campus. He noted Suleja, being densely populated area with several schools and growing number of prospective students, presents opportunity for University to extend its academic and skills-development programmes while strengthening value and recognition of certificates issued under collaboration.

Under proposed programme, certificate courses would cover Digital Literacy and Office Productivity; Graphic Design and AI-powered Visual Content; Digital Marketing, Social Media Monetisation and e-commerce; Computer Hardware and Smartphone Repair; Solar Power Installation for ICT Systems; Cybersecurity Essentials and Data Protection. At diploma level, proposed courses include Software Development and Web Applications; Data Analytics, AI for Business, Advanced Excel and Power BI; Networking, Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity; Entrepreneurship and Financial Technology Management; and ICT Education.

University is expected to review proposal and determine appropriate framework for collaboration.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Salihu Mohammed Niworu, welcomed delegation to University's Green Campus, describing it as state-owned institution committed to maintaining conducive and environmentally friendly academic environment.

He said IBBUL had secured accreditation for many of its academic programmes from National Universities Commission (NUC), while continuing to expand and sustain academic offerings to meet educational needs of students across country.

Prof. Niworu, who conveyed Vice-Chancellor's goodwill to delegation, said Prof. Hadi Sulaiman would have preferred to receive them personally but was unavoidably engaged in other official assignments.

He assured visitors of University's openness to initiatives that would contribute to its growth and academic development, adding delegation was warmly welcome to IBBUL's Green Campus, and expressed hope engagement would provide opportunity for meaningful collaboration.

In separate contributions, Acting Director, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Dr. Yusuf Tanko Usman, and Deputy Director, Academic Planning, Dr. Muktar Bala, appreciated Great Anchor Educational Consortium for initiative and its interest in collaborating with IBBUL.

They noted proposed affiliation could provide students and other beneficiaries with opportunities to acquire relevant ICT and entrepreneurship skills that align with contemporary educational and labour-market demands.

They expressed hope programmes would be practical, hands-on and sufficiently market-oriented to equip participants with skills that could translate into employment, self-reliance and entrepreneurship opportunities.

In vote of thanks, Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, described collaboration as key driver of University's growth and development, expressing optimism proposed partnership would be mutually beneficial.

He appreciated delegation for visiting University and for interest in establishing collaborative programme, assuring them proposal would receive due consideration.