News Highlights:
- The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, urged OAU students to move beyond acquiring knowledge and actively develop technology-based solutions.
- NITDA and the Renewed Hope Initiative commissioned a state-of-the-art Innovation Hub at OAU, equipped with AI, Robotics, Additive Manufacturing, and IoT laboratories.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has challenged Nigerian students to move beyond acquiring knowledge and become active innovators capable of developing technology-driven solutions that can accelerate the nation’s economic growth.
Speaking during the commissioning and handover of the Renewed Hope–NITDA Innovation Hub at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, the Minister stressed that the future of Nigeria’s digital economy rests largely on the ability of young people to transform ideas into practical innovations.
The state-of-the-art facility, established by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative, features modern laboratories dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Additive Manufacturing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Addressing students, academics, alumni, and other stakeholders at the event, Tijani described the hub as a strategic investment in human capital rather than merely a physical structure, emphasising that its success would ultimately depend on those who use it.
“Innovation does not come from buildings; innovation comes from people,” he said. “Before all these buildings, this university had been producing talent, innovators, and people who have changed our country for good. It is not these buildings alone that will do it.”
According to the Minister, the innovation hub was designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application, providing students with the tools and environment needed to convert ideas into impactful solutions.
He noted that access to knowledge is no longer a major barrier in today’s digital world, as information is readily available through online platforms and emerging technologies.
“A lot of students are in school today at a time when knowledge itself is ubiquitous,” he said. “There is nothing your teachers want to teach you that you cannot find online. The biggest challenge today is the ability to apply the knowledge that you have been given or that you find.”
Tijani explained that innovation centres such as the newly commissioned facility are intended to encourage experimentation, creativity, and problem-solving among students, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“If you want to know how to build a helicopter today, you can find it on Generative AI,” Tijani stated. “But the question is, can you translate that knowledge into action? That is what centres like these are meant for. When you are taught, you come here and apply that knowledge to build something,” he averred.
He further urged students, faculty members, and alumni to take ownership of the facility and ensure that it remains fully utilised, warning against the tendency for such projects to become underused after commissioning.
Reiterating the importance of innovation in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, the Minister maintained that government efforts alone would not be sufficient without active participation from young innovators.
“The leaders can try, but if you do not apply your knowledge to build solutions, we will not get to where we need to be,” he said. “This is an important asset. You have to take care of it and ensure it serves the purpose for which it was established.”
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor A. S. Bamire, expressed appreciation to Dr Bosun Tijani and the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, for their continued support and strategic investments in the institution’s digital transformation agenda.
Professor Bamire highlighted several interventions facilitated by the Minister, including the donation of 50 laptops to students, a $1,000 support fund for student innovators, and a commitment to provide a 30-kilometre fibre-optic network to improve internet connectivity across the campus.
He described Tijani as a valued stakeholder whose contributions have continued to make a positive impact on the university community.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended the NITDA Director General for the agency’s sustained support through the provision of critical digital infrastructure and innovation facilities.
According to him, these interventions have strengthened the university’s capacity for technology adoption, enhanced students’ digital skills, and expanded opportunities for innovation, research, and technology-enabled learning.
He noted that the partnership between NITDA and the university has played a significant role in preparing students to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world.
The Renewed Hope–NITDA Innovation Hub is part of broader efforts by NITDA to deepen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, promote digital skills development, and equip young Nigerians with the capabilities required to compete in the global digital economy.
By providing access to advanced technologies and hands-on learning opportunities, the initiative is expected to nurture creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship among students while supporting Nigeria’s ambition of building a thriving digital future.
