Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has urged Nigerian students to become active drivers of innovation by leveraging emerging technologies to develop solutions capable of transforming the nation’s economy.
Tijani made the call during the commissioning and handover of the Renewed Hope–NITDA Innovation Hub at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
The facility, established by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative, is equipped with laboratories for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Additive Manufacturing and the Internet of Things (IoT).
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Addressing students, academics, alumni and stakeholders, the minister described the hub as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that innovation is driven by people rather than infrastructure.
“Innovation does not come from buildings; innovation comes from people. Before all these buildings, this university had been producing talent, innovators and people who have changed our country for good,” he said.
Tijani said the facility was designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application by providing students with opportunities to transform ideas into real-world solutions.
He noted that access to knowledge was no longer the primary challenge for students in the digital era, as information is widely available through online platforms.
“A lot of students are in school today at a time when knowledge itself is ubiquitous. The biggest challenge today is the ability to apply the knowledge that you have been given or that you find,” he said.
According to him, innovation hubs are critical platforms for experimentation, creativity and problem-solving that can contribute to national development.
“If you want to know how to build a helicopter today, you can find it on Generative AI. But the question is, can you translate that knowledge into action? That is what centres like these are meant for,” he added.
The minister urged students, faculty members and alumni to ensure that the facility remained accessible and fully utilised, warning against allowing it to become underused.
He said Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a leading digital economy would depend largely on the ability of young people to create value and solve societal challenges through technology.
“The leaders can try, but if you do not apply your knowledge to build solutions, we will not get to where we need to be,” he said.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. A.S. Bamire, commended Tijani and the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, for their contributions to the university’s digital transformation efforts.
Bamire highlighted several interventions by the minister, including the donation of 50 laptops to students, a 1,000-dollar support fund for student innovators, and a commitment to provide a 30-kilometre fibre-optic network to improve internet connectivity on campus.
He also praised NITDA for providing critical digital infrastructure and innovation facilities that have enhanced students’ digital literacy, research capacity and technology-driven learning.
The vice-chancellor said the partnership between NITDA and the university had strengthened opportunities for innovation and prepared students to thrive in the digital economy.
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The Renewed Hope–NITDA Innovation Hub is part of broader efforts by NITDA to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, promote digital skills development and equip young Nigerians with globally competitive technological capabilities.
The initiative is expected to provide students with hands-on access to advanced technologies while fostering creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation.
