Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, has commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for using the country’s Local Content Policy to drive community development through investments in education, digital skills and human capital.
The minister made the remarks on Saturday during the commissioning of a modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre at Ika Comprehensive High School, Ikot Akpan Anwa, Akwa Ibom State, describing the project as a strategic investment that will enhance digital literacy, research and sustainable socio-economic development.
The newly commissioned facility, fully funded and equipped by the NCDMB, features a modern computer laboratory with 50 networked desktop computers, an interactive smart board, multimedia projector, dedicated server room and Starlink high-speed internet connectivity.
Designed to accommodate up to 70 users, the centre also includes air-conditioned classrooms, a staff office, storage facilities and separate convenience rooms.
To ensure uninterrupted operations, the facility is powered by both a 15kVA generator and a 15kVA solar energy system with battery backup, supported by dedicated networking infrastructure for reliable internet access.
Speaking at the commissioning, Ekpo described the ICT centre as more than a physical structure.
“This ICT Centre is far more than a building equipped with computers; it is an investment in the future of our children and a gateway to knowledge, innovation, creativity and opportunity,” the minister said.
He added that countries investing in digital education today are positioning themselves to lead tomorrow’s global knowledge economy.
Ekpo said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on expanding access to quality education, youth empowerment, digital transformation and inclusive economic growth.
According to him, equipping students in rural communities with digital competencies will enable them to compete effectively in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving technology-driven economy.
He noted that investments in digital infrastructure are essential for building the skilled workforce required to support both the energy industry and broader national development.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Board’s Director of Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, said digital education remains a critical component of the agency’s human capital development strategy.
He explained that the ICT centre would provide students with access to digital learning resources, research platforms, artificial intelligence tools and global educational content.
“This ICT Centre is more than a building; it is an investment in the future of our young people,” Halilu said.
“It demonstrates our commitment to extending Nigerian Content objectives beyond the oil and gas industry into classrooms, where technology, innovation and skills development can empower the next generation.”
Halilu urged the school management and host community to take ownership of the facility by ensuring its proper maintenance and long-term sustainability.
“Our goal is not simply to hand over infrastructure but to achieve measurable improvements in students’ educational outcomes,” he added.
Managing Director of Standard Institute of Technology Limited, Engr. Alexander Nsidibe, expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for entrusting the company with the project.
He described the ICT centre as evidence of the Board’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure while strengthening Nigeria’s human capital base.
Nsidibe pledged that the company would provide maintenance support for one year after handing over the facility, ensuring that students continue to benefit from the investment.
He said the centre would significantly improve students’ digital competencies and prepare them for future careers in technology and industry.
Principal General of Ika Comprehensive High School, Mrs. Nkom John Umoette, described the project as a transformative intervention that addresses a longstanding digital infrastructure gap within the school.
She explained that the absence of ICT facilities had previously limited students’ exposure to computer-based learning and digital education.
Umoette thanked the Minister and the NCDMB for delivering the project, saying it would better prepare students for computer-based examinations while expanding their academic and career opportunities.
A representative of the host community also praised the initiative, noting that students previously travelled to Uyo and neighbouring communities to register for and sit examinations such as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.
According to the community leader, the new ICT centre will eliminate many of those logistical and financial challenges while improving access to digital learning resources.
The project forms part of the NCDMB’s broader strategy to promote local content beyond the oil and gas industry by investing in education, digital inclusion and workforce development, reinforcing the role of technology as a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable community development.
