The Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Dr. Christopher Kalu, has announced the approval of a special intervention grant by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for the establishment of a TETFund Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences at the institution.
The institution was selected as one of the only two public tertiary institutions in the South-East to benefit from the intervention.
The announcement follows TETFund’s decision to establish six new Centres of Excellence across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, with specialisations in Robotics, Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Cybersecurity.
According to the rector, the development will increase the number of TETFund-supported Centres of Excellence nationwide from 30 to 36.
The centres, which were initially designated for public universities, are expected to be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities aimed at driving innovation, advancing research and strengthening Nigeria’s technological development.
Speaking during an enlarged management meeting held on Tuesday at the Polytechnic Council Chamber, the Rector disclosed that the project will include the installation of 300 computers.
He further revealed that TETFund has already assigned a contractor to oversee the implementation of the project and expressed gratitude to the Fund for considering the institution worthy of the intervention.
As preparations continue for the relocation to the Osisioma Campus, Okoro praised the Abia State Government for its efforts in the approval, construction and reconstruction of critical infrastructure projects currently ongoing at the institution.
He also announced the foundation-laying ceremony for the proposed 1,000-seat auditorium.
