Education
N150m ICT centre project in Akwa Ibom raises questions
Written By: Udo Inobeme
09 Oct 2025 02:27 AM
Ikono, Akwa Ibom – A newly established ICT Centre at Ikono Annang Comprehensive Secondary School in Nkwot Ikono, Akwa Ibom State, has sparked debate after citizen-led watchdog group TrackaNG reported significant gaps in its completion, despite a hefty N150 million allocation in the 2024 Federal Government budget.
The revelations, shared across multiple posts on X on Wednesday, have ignited calls for transparency and accountability from the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAMng), the implementing agency.
TrackaNG’s investigation, detailed in a series of posts, confirms that the centre—officially commissioned on May 15, 2023—now houses 25 desktop computers, tables, and stools. However, the hall was found locked during their visit, with staff highlighting critical missing components: ceiling fans, printers, and a generator.
The absence of these essentials raises doubts about the project’s readiness to serve students in this rural Annang-speaking community.
The N150 million earmarked for the "Equipping/Furnishing of ICT Centre" in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area was intended to bridge the digital divide in a region where agriculture and trade dominate. Yet, the current setup—basic computers without power backup or proper ventilation—falls short of expectations.
TrackaNG’s findings align with broader concerns about public spending efficiency in Nigeria’s 2024 budget, which allocated N2.18 trillion to education—a figure still below UNESCO’s 15-20% recommendation for developing nations.
Community sources told TrackaNG that while the centre’s establishment is a welcome step, its current state limits its utility, especially without reliable electricity—a common hurdle in rural Nigeria.
In response, TrackaNG has publicly urged NCAMng to release a detailed report on the project’s expenditure and address the outstanding needs.
No official response has emerged from NCAMng or the Federal Ministry of Education.
Local education advocates hope the agency will expedite the installation of missing items and provide a generator to ensure the centre can operate beyond sporadic grid power.
The revelations, shared across multiple posts on X on Wednesday, have ignited calls for transparency and accountability from the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAMng), the implementing agency.
TrackaNG’s investigation, detailed in a series of posts, confirms that the centre—officially commissioned on May 15, 2023—now houses 25 desktop computers, tables, and stools. However, the hall was found locked during their visit, with staff highlighting critical missing components: ceiling fans, printers, and a generator.
The absence of these essentials raises doubts about the project’s readiness to serve students in this rural Annang-speaking community.
The N150 million earmarked for the "Equipping/Furnishing of ICT Centre" in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area was intended to bridge the digital divide in a region where agriculture and trade dominate. Yet, the current setup—basic computers without power backup or proper ventilation—falls short of expectations.
TrackaNG’s findings align with broader concerns about public spending efficiency in Nigeria’s 2024 budget, which allocated N2.18 trillion to education—a figure still below UNESCO’s 15-20% recommendation for developing nations.
Community sources told TrackaNG that while the centre’s establishment is a welcome step, its current state limits its utility, especially without reliable electricity—a common hurdle in rural Nigeria.
In response, TrackaNG has publicly urged NCAMng to release a detailed report on the project’s expenditure and address the outstanding needs.
No official response has emerged from NCAMng or the Federal Ministry of Education.
Local education advocates hope the agency will expedite the installation of missing items and provide a generator to ensure the centre can operate beyond sporadic grid power.
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