UNIMAID moves to Strengthen ICT as Director Reveals Key Developments

UNIMAID moves to Strengthen ICT as Director Reveals Key Developments

The University of Maiduguri is set to strengthen its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure with plans to provide free internet access across the campus for students and staff in the coming semester, as well as an expansion of bandwidth to improve system performance amid growing demand. This was disclosed by the Director of ICT, Professor Jamilu Mu’azu, during an interview with UNIMAID Bulletin on December 31, 2025, at his office in the ICT Directorate.

Professor Mu’azu also announced ongoing partnerships aimed at addressing aging ICT infrastructure in the University, noting that some equipment currently in use is over fifteen years old. He said support from development agencies such as the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), alongside IDICE, TETFund, and other partners, is aiding the renovation and equipping of the ICT facilities with funding of four million US dollars.

He disclosed that the ICT Directorate currently operates seven functional units including the CBT unit for computer-based examinations, the portal unit for student registration and online processes, the networking unit responsible for campus-wide connectivity, and the software development unit, which develops systems tailored to meet the University’s needs.

Professor Mu’azu attributed the challenges experienced during periods such as end-of-semester payments and hostel bookings to network failure and system overload caused by high traffic. He explained that reliance on GSM-based internet services in Maiduguri and last-minute user activity contribute significantly to these challenges. To address this, he said the ICT Directorate has expanded its bandwidth to improve system performance.

The Director expressed appreciation to the university management for its consistent support, describing it as instrumental to the progress recorded by the ICT Directorate and its ongoing efforts to improve service delivery.

He urged staff and students to use ICT facilities responsibly, emphasizing that the resources are meant for general university use and collective benefit.