Federal University Birnin Kebbi gets cutting-edge tech hub, powered by Zinox Group and the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation.
Students at Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUB) will enjoy world-class digital learning facilities after the Zinox Group Chairman, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, donated a multimillion-naira Tech Experience Centre to the institution.
The brand-new centre was officially commissioned by Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, President of the Nigeria Computer Society, representing Mr. Ekeh. The state-of-the-art facility comes loaded with the latest Zinox computers and is powered by iPower’s solar energy solution, equipped with certified lithium batteries to ensure consistent power supply. Plus, thanks to Starlink’s satellite internet, students and staff can access uninterrupted 24-hour high-speed broadband, a bill the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation has pledged to cover for the next five years.
The Tech Experience Centre is here for our students and knowledge workers, and it is designed to prepare them for global opportunities. The aim isn’t just smart buildings, but smart graduates who will help drive Nigeria’s progress. A well-educated populace is the heart of national development – Ekeh
The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation has established advanced technology hubs in several universities nationwide, supporting government efforts to upgrade education to world standards. These centres give Nigerian students and researchers vital digital skills, to compete globally.
For over 25 years, Zinox Group has been championing digital education. The Foundation has equipped universities like St. Augustine University Lagos and Imo State University, refurbished older hubs, and plans to extend support to secondary schools soon. Mr. Ekeh called on political leaders, business moguls, and government agencies to invest boldly in Nigeria’s education.
At the commissioning, FUB’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Zaiyan Umar, praised Mr. Ekeh and his Foundation:
This Tech Experience Centre will make a remarkable difference in the academic and research output of our students and staff. We are grateful for Mr. Ekeh’s vision, generosity, and long-standing contributions to this institution and to digital education in Nigeria. This facility is more than a building with computers; it is an investment in the future of our graduates and the growth of our nation.
Mr. Ekeh’s team also showed his impact in other sectors, from the media and the electoral commission to numerous charities. But the Chairman warned of tough times for Nigeria’s education sector if urgent action isn’t taken, suggesting policy changes like adopting college systems and setting up specialised professional colleges affiliated with bigger universities. He urged regulators to treat universities with even more care than banks, stressing that their “true profit is the quality of graduates produced, not just short-term results.”
The FUB Centre is only the latest development by Zinox to help Nigeria’s tech space grow; the group has also funded scholarships, granted non-interest loans to entrepreneurs, and supported hospitals and churches nationwide.
With more partnerships like this, our schools can become world-class, driving innovation and economic growth for the country.
