UNIMAID Plans Free Campus Internet and ICT Upgrades to Enhance Service Delivery

The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) is set to significantly upgrade its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, including plans to provide free internet access for students and staff and expand bandwidth to improve system performance.

The announcement was made by the Director of ICT, Professor Jamilu Mu’azu, in an interview with UNIMAID Bulletin on 31 December 2025. He highlighted ongoing initiatives to modernize aging ICT facilities, some of which have been in use for over fifteen years. Funding support for these upgrades, totaling four million US dollars, comes from development partners including the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), IDICE, TETFund, and other collaborators.

Professor Jamilu detailed that the ICT Directorate currently operates seven functional units, including:

• Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Unit: Manages online examinations.
• Portal Unit: Handles student registration and online processes.
• Networking Unit: Maintains campus-wide connectivity.
• Software Development Unit: Designs systems tailored to University needs.

He explained that challenges during peak periods, such as end-of-semester payments and hostel bookings, often stem from network failures and system overload caused by high traffic, compounded by reliance on GSM-based internet services in Maiduguri. The recent bandwidth expansion aims to alleviate these issues and ensure smoother operations.

Professor Jamilu expressed gratitude to UNIMAID management for continuous support, which he described as critical to the Directorate’s achievements. He encouraged students and staff to use ICT resources responsibly, emphasizing that these facilities are intended for the collective benefit of the University community.