ABAKALIKI, NIGERIA — (NPA) March 15 — The Ebonyi State University of ICT, Offerekpe, on Saturday, March 15, 2026, held its maiden matriculation ceremony. Conceived by the administration of Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru, the institution is designed to become a hub for technological excellence and innovation in the state.
Governor Nwifuru, while congratulating the students, described the matriculation as a historic milestone in Ebonyi’s educational advancement and the beginning of a bold vision to build a citadel of learning dedicated to innovation, technology, and knowledge. He emphasised that the university will prepare young people to become innovators, entrepreneurs, and job creators rather than job seekers.
According to a statement by Leo Ekene Oketa, Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media), the university is “dedicated to nurturing a generation of highly skilled ICT professionals, innovators, and solution-driven thinkers who will shape the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.”
A total of 187 pioneering students were matriculated into the academic community, including 133 indigenes of Ebonyi State who are beneficiaries of government scholarships under the state’s human capital development initiative.
The programmes offered at the new university include Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information and Communication Technology, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, Software Engineering, Architecture, Building, Quantity Surveying, Information Technology, Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Mass Communication, Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and Health Information Management.
While construction continues at the permanent site in Offerekpe-Agbaja, students will receive lectures at the Vocational College buildings within the Ministry of Tertiary Education in Centenary City, Abakaliki.
The governor has received widespread praise from indigenes of the state for establishing the institution, as the new university is expected to further lift Ebonyi from the ranks of the least educated states in Nigeria’s southeast region. Many residents see it as a bold step toward reshaping the state’s academic profile and creating new opportunities for its youth.
Analysts, however, have urged the governor to ensure the school is fully equipped with modern learning tools and facilities, stressing the need for a clear departure from the shortcomings of many higher institutions across the country that are often criticized as “glorified secondary schools.” They argue that only by investing in cutting-edge infrastructure, digital resources, and quality faculty can the university truly fulfill its mission of becoming a hub for innovation and technological excellence.
