- October 13, 2025
- Posted by: itmanager
- Category: Innovation, Latest News, University
The Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, has reaffirmed the University’s commitment to transforming into a Smart University, driven by technology, innovation, and digital empowerment.
Prof. Olarinde made this known on Monday, October 13, 2025, during an on-the-spot assessment of the newly established ICT Hub, a product of ABUAD’s partnership with New Horizons System Solutions Limited, a leading global ICT training and digital solutions institute.
Addressing the first cohort of students of the ICT Hub, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated them for being pioneers of a project that will redefine digital education in ABUAD and beyond. She urged them to make the most of the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and remain globally competitive in a fast-evolving technological world.
“Count yourselves favoured, blessed, and privileged to be among the first set of students to experience this innovative hub. It is designed to equip you with hands-on expertise in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other emerging technologies that are shaping the future,” she stated.
Prof. Olarinde further called for renewed patriotism and commitment among Nigerians, emphasizing that national transformation requires citizens who are innovative, disciplined, and purpose-driven. She described the ABUAD–New Horizons collaboration as mutually beneficial, with far-reaching impacts on students, the nation, and the global community.
“This partnership reflects ABUAD’s forward-thinking vision to produce graduates who are not only intellectually sound but technologically empowered to solve real-world problems,” she added.
Also speaking, the Manager of the ICT Hub, Mr. Oladapo Olatunji, urged students to uphold the values and discipline that underpin the establishment of the centre. He cautioned them against actions that could compromise the equipment or disrupt the learning environment.
“The computers and facilities are highly sensitive. We strictly prohibit liquids such as water, tea, or soft drinks within the premises to prevent damage,” he advised.
The ICT Hub, domiciled within ABUAD’s ICT Centre, was officially birthed from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ABUAD and New Horizons on April 17, 2025, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. The initiative is part of the University’s strategic drive to enhance digital literacy, technological innovation, and research excellence across all disciplines.
The pioneer beneficiaries of the ICT Hub are students of Computing and Computer Science from the College of Sciences, who will receive specialized training designed to strengthen their ICT proficiency and prepare them for both undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities in the global tech ecosystem.
With this milestone, ABUAD continues to consolidate its position as a model of academic excellence and innovation, setting new benchmarks for technology-driven education in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.