The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, has commended Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited for choosing the university as a trusted partner, describing the collaboration as a strategic step toward strengthening teaching, learning and research.
Prof. Ahmed gave the commendation on Wednesday at the formal kick-off of the ABU ICT Infrastructure Revamp, tagged “Network Infrastructure Refresh Project: Huawei Smart Campus for ABU,” which commenced with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
He said the partnership was designed to address the growing ICT needs of the university and was not intended to replace existing service providers, but to complement efforts at enhancing academic delivery and research output.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the new internet and network infrastructure would significantly boost productivity and ensure that learning and research activities are no longer limited to physical classrooms.
He noted that the project marked a renewal and consolidation of the long-standing relationship between ABU and Huawei.
Prof. Ahmed acknowledged the roles played by the Director, Distance Learning Centre (DLC), Prof. M.B. Muazu, for facilitating the partnership, and the Director, Iya Abubakar Institute of ICT (IAIICT), Prof. E.A. Adedokun, for working toward the actualisation of the project.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Prof. Muazu said the project was aimed at a total transformation of the university’s internet network architecture to meet global standards.
He appreciated stakeholders for their support and attendance at the event.
In his presentation, Prof. Adedokun disclosed that the project involved a comprehensive overhaul of ABU’s ICT network architecture and devices and would be implemented in three phases.
He explained that the first phase would focus on the data centre and storage network, the second on distribution layer network, while the third phase would address the access layer network.
Also speaking, a Senior Account Manager with Huawei, Esther Anigbo, said the company was deploying its Smart Campus Solution to ABU, featuring the iMaster NCE platform, which would enable the university to manage and control devices across all campuses through a single console.
She added that the solution would enhance disaster recovery and provide a robust campus network design, noting that ABU was evolving into a Huawei ICT support centre in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Huawei’s Director of Sales, Mars Zhangmi, said the company was at ABU to strengthen years of collaboration and partnership.
He disclosed that the Huawei ICT Academy had trained many ABU students, opening doors to global opportunities, and reaffirmed that ABU remained the first Huawei ICT Centre in Nigeria.
In a vote of thanks, the Registrar of the university, Rabiu Samaila, expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for his visionary leadership, which culminated in the signing of the MoU.
He also thanked Huawei for the partnership, assuring the company that it would not regret the decision.
The ceremony featured the official signing of the MoU and cultural performances by students of the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts. The event was attended by principal officers, deans, directors and heads of departments.
