The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) IT Hub (NITHUB), University of Lagos (UNILAG) has received a vote of confidence for its capacity to play a key role in software development in Nigeria.
The GIZ Head of Division for West Africa 2 and Madagascar, Mr. Helmut Hauschild gave this thumbs-up on Monday, February 24, 2024, when he visited UNILAG as part of his ongoing official engagements in Nigeria.
Accompanied by a delegation of senior GIZ officials, Mr. Hauschild who was received at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, appreciated UNILAG Management for the robust working relationship between the University and GIZ, over the years.
He identified the relationship between GIZ and UNILAG as one targeted at driving digitization for Africa’s economic growth and development, a feat, which he said, UNILAG has demonstrated remarkable commitment to, through the works and outputs of NITHUB.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa who received the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, noted that “the partnership between UNILAG and GIZ has been instrumental in ensuring that NITHUB UNILAG delivers on its mandate as a rallying point for the ideation, development and hatchery of innovations”.
Prof. Atsenuwa pointed out that the Director General of NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, during his visit to the centre mid last year, had also attested to the fact that NITHUB has continued to live up to its billings.
According to her, “NITHUB being one of UNILAG’s many flagship points for digital transformation, provides opportunities, facilities and ambience for not only students but as many interested individuals, to innovate, collaborate and create real time solutions”.
She noted that all activities at NITHUB and other similar AI/IT Innovation hubs/Centres in UNILAG are channeled towards equipping UNILAG Students and other users with skills for the future thereby making them fit-for-purpose while making them solution providers.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the University Management, assured of unalloyed dedication to the ideal of the partnership with GIZ and solicited continued commitment from the GIZ delegation.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, simply shortened to GIZ, is a development agency of the German Government headquartered in Bonn and Eschborn, Germany.
The agency specializes in the field of international development cooperation and international education works. Its partnership with NITHUB UNILAG has spanned about 3 years and pertains to provision of equipment and capacity building.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Islamiat Akani
