World Bank and OAU teams up to set USD 8mln ICT Park in Nigeria

The ICT Park project proposed since 2014, with structures and facilities already on the ground

The Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife in Osun State, has set up a USD 8 million World Bank-assisted information and communication technology (ICT) driven-knowledge park, tagged African Centre of Excellence (ACE).

The ICT Park project proposed since 2014, with structures and facilities already on the ground, is 75 percent finished, but the university is calling for more participation from the private and public sector to spout into the potential of the ICT Park.

Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, the Pro-Chancellor of the University while speaking at a one-day forum, built around the project said that the essence of the forum was to seek more collaboration from industry stakeholders in the form of the industry partnership to boost the project.

“We need to build a strong interface between the academia and the industry, and we want industry participation and synergy on this project that will be of immense benefit to the student community, the academia, and the industry,” he further noted.

The Director, World Bank Assisted Project, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, who is also the President of NCS told, “the park would provide a launch pad for start-up companies borne out of the university’s research activities and collaboration with ICT companies, who would have the competitive advantage of proximity and direct access to the intellectual infrastructure and output of the university.”

“The programme has already started and some industry stakeholders have already signed MoU with us, designed to bridge the practical skills gap that currently exists,” he further remarked.