The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, has lauded the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board for demonstrating how Nigeria’s Local Content Policy can be harnessed to deliver real socio-economic impact, following the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre in Akwa Ibom State.
The facility, located at Ika Comprehensive High School in Ikot Akpan Anwa community, stands as a transformative intervention aimed at bridging the digital divide in rural education while equipping students with critical 21st-century skills.
Speaking at the event, Ekpo described the project as far more than a physical structure, noting that it represents a strategic investment in human capital development and a gateway to innovation, creativity and opportunity for young Nigerians. He emphasised that countries investing in digital education today are positioning themselves for global competitiveness tomorrow.
The ICT Centre is fully equipped with 50 networked desktop computers, an interactive smart board, projector, server room and high-speed internet connectivity powered by Starlink, enabling seamless access to digital learning platforms, research tools and computer-based examinations. Designed to accommodate up to 70 users at a time, the facility also includes air-conditioned learning spaces, a staff room, storage facilities and separate convenience areas.
To address the persistent challenge of power supply in rural communities, the centre is supported by a hybrid energy system comprising a 15kVA generator and a 15kVA solar power installation with battery backup, ensuring uninterrupted learning and connectivity.
Ekpo linked the initiative to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting its alignment with national priorities such as expanding access to quality education, strengthening youth empowerment, accelerating digital transformation and fostering inclusive economic growth. According to him, empowering students in underserved communities with digital competencies is essential for their meaningful participation in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Board’s Director of Corporate Services, Abdulmalik Halilu, reiterated that digital literacy and ICT capacity development remain central to the Board’s mandate of building a skilled workforce for both the oil and gas sector and the broader Nigerian economy. He explained that the facility would provide students with access to cutting-edge resources, including artificial intelligence tools and global knowledge platforms.
Halilu further stressed that the long-term success of the project would depend on strong collaboration between the Board, the school and the host community, urging stakeholders to take ownership of the facility to ensure its sustainability and continued impact.
On the project delivery side, the Managing Director of Standard Institute of Technology Limited, Alexander Nsidibe, expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for the confidence placed in his firm. He described the ICT Centre as a clear demonstration of the Board’s commitment to quality infrastructure and human capital advancement, while also pledging one year of post-handover maintenance support.
For the school community, the intervention marks a turning point. The Principal General, Nkom John Umoette, disclosed that the absence of an ICT facility had long limited students’ exposure to digital education and hindered their preparedness for computer-based examinations. She noted that the new centre would significantly improve academic outcomes, enhance digital literacy and open up broader career opportunities for students.
A representative of the host community echoed this sentiment, recalling that students previously had to travel to Uyo and other neighbouring areas to register for and sit examinations such as JAMB, often incurring additional costs and facing logistical challenges. With the new ICT Centre in place, those barriers are expected to be eliminated, bringing relief to families and improving access to education.
Ultimately, the commissioning of the ICT Centre underscores a broader shift in Nigeria’s development approach, where institutions like the NCDMB are extending their impact beyond industry regulation to grassroots transformation. In Ikot Akpan Anwa, that vision is already taking shape—through improved access to technology, enhanced learning opportunities and the promise of a digitally empowered generation.
