THE DIGITAL Bridge Institute (DBI) has officially commenced a large-scale training programme for approximately 10,000 workers from universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions across the nation.
This is contained in a press statement by Mr Soji-Eze Fagbemi, Head, Public Affairs, DBI on Monday, noting that the initiative, tagged: ‘2025 Advance Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI)’, was launched simultaneously at four dedicated centres on Monday.
According to the statement, the programme is fully sponsored by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and is being implemented by the DBI, the nation’s premier centre for ICT and telecommunications education.
The training rollout began at the University of Ilesa in Osun State, with other sessions starting at the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State; the Rivers State School of Nursing Sciences and Management Technology in Port Harcourt; and the Federal University in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The programme aims to train 100 staff members from each of 100 participating institutions, equipping them with critical skills in the adoption and implementation of modern ICT tools for teaching and research.
At the opening ceremony in Ilesa, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilesa, Prof. Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, declared the workshop open.
He described the ADEPTI programme as a pivotal collaborative initiative that underscores the commitment of both the Federal Government and tertiary institutions to enhancing technological proficiency among their workforce.
Prof. Asaolu emphasised the critical importance of digital skills in the contemporary academic landscape, noting that they are essential for quality teaching, learning, and research. “Digital visibility and proficiency significantly impact global and national University rankings, reputation, education delivery, and research outputs,” he stated.
He highlighted the university’s own investments in digital technologies, including modern teaching devices, campus-wide WiFi, and regular IT workshops, noting that the ADEPTI programme’s focus on Data Analysis, Digital Skills, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technologies aligns perfectly with the institution’s vision.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence that the expertise of the resource persons would not only enhance the participants’ digital skills but also inspire innovative approaches to integrating technology into their work.
He commended the NCC and DBI for their efforts and urged participants to engage actively, assuring them that the acquired knowledge would have far-reaching impacts on their professional lives and the broader advancement of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Representing the President/CEO of DBI, Mr. David Daser, the centre’s coordinator, Prince Soji-Eze Fagbemi, provided further details on the programme.
He reiterated that the training is a fully-funded NCC intervention designed to directly improve academic teaching and research outputs through digital upskilling.
Fagbemi advised participants to “give this training the attention and commitment it deserves,” and assured them that the instructors were dedicated to delivering the content and achieving the expected learning outcomes.
He extended gratitude to the NCC for its continued sponsorship and to the management of the participating universities for their commitment to capacity development.
The intensive training workshop is scheduled to run for five days, after which organisers believe participants will have significantly improved their digital knowledge base, contributing to the building of a digitally empowered academic community capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
