₦355 Million ICT Centre in Akwa-Ibom Facilitated by Senate President Akpabio Remains Poorly Equipped”
An ICT centre facilitated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in Ikono Annang Comprehensive Secondary School has sparked criticism for being overpriced and under-equipped, raising concerns about accountability and constituency project management.
₦355 Million Project Yet to Deliver Full Benefits
The ICT centre, included in the 2024 federal budget, reportedly received over ₦220 million in funding. While the building stands and is partially furnished, it lacks critical equipment, leaving students unable to fully utilize the facility.
Only 25 desktop computers with basic tables and stools have been provided. Other essential items such as UPS systems, printers, backup power, ceiling fans, whiteboards, and perimeter fencing are still missing, making the centre largely unusable.
Oversight and Mismanagement Concerns
The project was executed through the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security—an agency critics say is not equipped to manage ICT infrastructure projects.
Digital advocacy group MonITNG has raised alarms about the potential inflation of costs and the use of taxpayer money for projects that serve political visibility rather than educational impact.
Calls for Accountability
MonITNG has called for:
- Investigations by anti-corruption agencies into the project’s execution.
- Completion of the ICT centre with all necessary equipment.
- Full transparency on fund allocation and expenditure.
What the Public Needs to Know
The controversy highlights a growing concern across Nigeria: constituency projects with high budgets often deliver below standard facilities, leaving local communities without the intended benefits.
For students in Ikono and the wider Akwa-Ibom state, the ICT centre remains a promise unfulfilled, despite the significant financial investment.
Read also 140 Victims of Jigawa Tanker Explosion Buried, 90 Hospitalized
