The Federal Government has announced plans to connect students at the University of Ilorin with their counterparts across Nigeria and the world through a high-speed broadband initiative inspired by the international WiFi network, ‘eduroam,’ widely used in UK campuses.

The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, unveiled this plan during a visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the university. His visit preceded his participation in the 6th Africalics International Research Conference held at the University Auditorium. Represented by his Special Assistant on AI Research, Mr. Olubunmi Ajala, the Minister detailed that the initiative would link all university hostels to a robust internet network, enabling seamless connectivity between institutions in Nigeria and beyond.

This project aims to make high-speed internet accessible and affordable for students, fostering collaboration and innovation within and outside Nigeria.

Commenting on the 6th Africalics International Research Conference, themed “The Africa We Want: Leveraging Innovation and Digital Transformation”, the Minister praised the University of Ilorin for demonstrating its global relevance by hosting innovation and development scholars from across Africa.

He explained the importance of addressing what he called “wicked problems”, that is, complex challenges where solutions evolve and often generate new issues. The Minister added that such problems require innovation and technology.

Mr Tijani commended Africalics for providing a platform that drives innovation and intellectual engagement and bridges the gap between research and practical application, particularly in internet technology, emerging fields, and Artificial Intelligence.

The Minister said, “You cannot solve wicked problems without innovations and technology. The good thing is that digital technology is becoming easier to implement. Africalics provides a platform to drive these technological innovations.

“If we talk about the internet, new technology, or even Artificial Intelligence, we find out that research has been ongoing for a long time, and now we are moving towards application. We cannot exclude the academic environment from this transition from research to application. Africalics offers a collaborative space for scholars, especially those focused on innovation and digital technology.”

Welcoming the representative of the Minister to his office, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, expressed the appreciation of the University for the role the Minister and his ministry played in hosting the conference.

He, however, requested the Minister’s support in equipping the University’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre and the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL) with more computer systems to enhance teaching and learning activities.

The Vice Chancellor added that the University recently held an AI workshop, where students who performed exceptionally well were selected for additional mentorship and opportunities.

He, therefore, sought the Ministry’s support in advancing the University’s Artificial Intelligence initiatives.