NCC approves Centre of Excellence for Ahmadu Bello University

By Biola Adebayo On Sep 7, 2023

ABU , agreement , construction, Bed space, student hostels — ABU signs agreement for construction of 1600-bed space student hostels

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to essentially strengthen capacity building in the telecommunications sector by providing training, upskilling and reskilling opportunities.

Specifically, the Centre will be required to support the Commission’s mandate of producing locally made equipment and materials for the development of the telecommunications sector.

SOLACEBASE reports that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, announced the development at the 526th (Regular) Meeting of the Senate of Ahmadu Bello University held last Thursday, 31st August 2023, saying the University was in receipt of the NCC’s approval for the establishment of the Centre.

A statement issued by the university Director, Public Affairs, Malam Auwal Umar, on Wednesday, noted that a letter, conveying the approval signed by the Commission’s Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said that the Centre was expected to also provide adequate research atmosphere, establish and carry out researches that will produce policies and provide patent solutions for both the telecoms industry and regulators.

‘’Other expected activities of the Centre include development of courses that will bridge the gap in key ICT, namely but not limited to Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Connectivity Technologies, Cloud Computing, Edge Computing, Renewable Energy and Next Generation Networks, ‘’the statement said.

According to the statement, the Centre is also expected to have strong collaboration with the telecommunication sector in order to understand the needs of the sector to carry out productive research and capacity-building activities.

The sustainability plan of the Centre, according to the letter, must be developed and submitted to the Commission to serve as one of the measurements of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The terms of the offer for the establishment of the Centre shall be rendered in line with professional, academic standards and international best practices.

According to the offer, it is expected that the Commission shall contribute to setting the research agenda of the Centre, approving their work programme, and setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and targets to be delivered in collaboration with the University authorities and telecommunications companies in the country.