The Kano State Government has awarded contracts worth ₦27.8 billion for new Information and Communication Technology and Computer-Based Test centres. The project will cover all 44 local government areas in the state. It forms part of a wider plan to bring digital learning closer to students in rural communities.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mohammed Tajo-Othman, announced the project at a contract award ceremony in Kano. He said each of the 44 centres will get 300 computers. That brings the total to 13,200 computers across the state. According to him, the goal is to expand access to digital learning, e-examinations, and technology skills for young people at the grassroots.
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Each centre will also come with a high-capacity internet server network. In addition, a reliable power supply system will back up every site. This system will draw on the national grid, solar energy, and standby generators. As a result, students should not have to worry about network downtime or power outages during exams.
Tajo-Othman noted that no other state has attempted a project of this scale across every local government area. Construction is expected to wrap up within 16 to 18 weeks. He described the initiative as another historic milestone for Kano State. He credited Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf’s vision for making it possible.
Several construction firms will handle the work. These include Odaleg Properties and Constructions Limited, Aytaam Construction Limited, Trusted Development, KODAK PRIME, and VIND R&D Partnership Limited, among others. The contractors thanked the state government for the opportunity. They also promised to meet the required standards within the agreed timeframe.
Officials from the local government areas and the ministry will inspect the sites regularly. This will help ensure the work meets quality standards. Tajo-Othman said the centres will also create jobs. Furthermore, they will support major exam bodies such as JAMB, WAEC, and NECO. The facilities will double as hubs for digital skills training.
Kano has one of the largest student populations in Nigeria. This is partly due to Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf’s free education policy. It also reflects the state of emergency declared in the education sector. However, many students in rural areas still struggle with computer-based exams. Limited ICT facilities and low digital literacy remain major barriers.
The new centres aim to close that gap. They will give students in remote communities the same digital exam opportunities as those in cities. Officials also expect the project to employ ICT-skilled youths. These young people will manage and maintain the centres once they open.
Sustainability has reportedly been built into the plan from the start. Measures are already in place to keep the facilities running long after construction ends. Once complete, the project should strengthen digital learning across Kano State. It should also narrow the technology gap between urban and rural areas.
