By Dorcas Francis Koji
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State, in collaboration with the Advanced Technological Incubation and Research Center (ATIRC), has commissioned the first 10Gbps Smart Campus Network system aimed at providing students and researchers with fast, reliable internet access for academic activities and innovation.
The state-of-the-art digital infrastructure is expected to transform learning and research at the institution by creating an enabling environment for students, researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, innovators, government agencies, and industry partners to collaborate, develop, test, and commercialise technology-driven solutions to address local and global challenges.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony in Abeokuta, Senator Shuaib Salisu, who represents Ogun West Central Senatorial District and chairs the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, urged students to take full advantage of the digital facility by developing innovative solutions rather than using technology solely for social media activities.
Salisu encouraged students to leverage the high-speed internet infrastructure to create groundbreaking technologies that can contribute to national development.
“Students should collaborate to build innovative solutions. We all know platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Today, some Nigerians have also developed indigenous social media platforms. There is nothing stopping students at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, now equipped with one of the fastest internet infrastructures in the country, from working together to create the next breakthrough technology,” he said.
The lawmaker specifically challenged students in the Departments of Business Administration and Accountancy to develop digital tools that could address challenges faced by traders at Itoku Adire Market and merchants at Kuto Market.
He also announced the donation of 25 laptop computers to the institution and encouraged lecturers to assign students research projects focused on solving real-life societal problems.
“My second message is to the lecturers. Please give students projects and assignments that address real societal challenges and contribute to national development,” Salisu added.
The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola, described the initiative as a major milestone in technology-driven education, noting that effective utilisation of the facility could position MAPOLY among the most technologically advanced campuses in West Africa.
The traditional ruler expressed concern over inadequate digital infrastructure in many Nigerian tertiary institutions, stressing that the new facility would strengthen teaching and learning while equipping students with practical technological skills needed to develop innovative solutions.
The Rector of MAPOLY, Arch. Babatunde Jolaoso, described the 10Gbps Smart Campus Fibre Infrastructure as a landmark achievement that would promote innovation, enhance technological development, and advance technical education.
According to him, the project would elevate the institution’s profile globally and extend its impact beyond the campus through contributions to national and international development.
“This facility places us more prominently on the global stage than ever before. Its impact will extend beyond the institution to contribute meaningfully to national and global development,” Jolaoso said.
Earlier, the Head of Research and Innovation at ATIRC, Bashirat Bamigboye, explained that the 10Gbps Smart Network System would provide students with efficient internet connectivity to support research, access online learning resources, and collaborate on academic projects.
She added that students would receive training on how to effectively utilise the facility, with the next phase of the initiative focusing strongly on research and development.
The commissioning marks a significant step towards strengthening digital education, innovation, and technology-driven entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
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