Brief History

The story of computerization in Ahmadu Bello University started  in 1976 with the creation of the Iya Abubakar Computer center.The center in the era of the mainframe was  truly a center of excellence, however, when the era of personal computing dawned the  concept of  Information and Communications Technology  gained mandate. When the NUC therefore directed Universities to establish Management Information Systems Units in the early 1990s the first office was in Electrical Engineering Department with Dr Z.O.Oyedokun as its pioneer coordinator. Shortly after its inception the MIS developed the SR examination package and has been in use since 1995.The MIS later relocated to the senate building and instead of receiving due attention suffered neglect, was incapacitated and up to 2005 never lived up to expectation. In 1999, however, Ahmadu Bello University   articulated a plan for the provision of internet connectivity which got it a Federal government grant. An implementation Committee then was set up headed by Professor Y. Aku  of Mechanical Engineering The committee was to  work a strategic plan for computerization and networking  of the University and ensure its implementation. Actual implementation, however, could not commence until August 2002. Fundamentally the ICT programme’s blueprint did not spell out the need and thus did not provide relevant management framework structure for the ICT Infrastructure, subsequently, the execution and or implementation of the ICT programme suffered a lot of setbacks, which cumulatively reproduced an incoherent process. At some point along the line Dr George Kwanashie, (then Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics) took over as the chairman of a computerization and internet project task force, which saw to the completion of the VSAT project  (of 128 kbps uplink and 512 kbps downlink capacity)  and network center equipment  along with a few remote sites in early 2005.The close up report by Messsrs TTI Nig ltd , one of the project consultants, however, indicated there was no full integration of the network center to all proposed radio sites. By August 2005 as a result, the ICT Infrastructure could deliver Internet access to only less than 5% of the University community and most of the University community relies on private Internet outlets. Sometime in 2003, the CISCO Networking Academy  was set up to provide for the training of middle manpower for the ICT programmes in  Ahmadu Bello University and Dr. P.F.U. Taylor of Electrical Engineering was appointed pioneer Coordinator. In the last  quarter of 2005, Dr. P.F.U. Taylor was appointed to double as the university ICT coordinator, with Dr. Aminu Ibrahim then, of the Nigerian Universities Commission as the University ICT Consultant. Along this period a draft ICT blueprint coupled with a policy on strategic plan for computerization, multimedia and networking had been developed. However, there was no synergy between the blueprint and its implementation.

Early into his appointment in 2005, therefore, Dr P. F. U. Taylor was replaced by the duo of Dr. Kabiru Bala of Building Technology Department (as ICT Coordinator, main campus and Coordinator CISCO Academy) and Dr. N. Maiturare of Bussiness Administration Department (as ICT Coordinator Kongo campus).This followed the setting up by university council of an investigation into the entire circumstances of the ICT project from 1999-2005,which was chaired by Dr. K.S. Chafe. Under the leadership of Dr Kabiru Bala the University website was designed and a wireless Hotspot network sponsored by First Bank commenced. Following the recommendations of the February,2006 report of the Council committee on ICT, in march 2006, Council setup an ICT Technical Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. D.D. Dajab of Electrical Engineering Department which studies and analyses all designs, concepts and documents as it relates to the ICT project in the whole University. The committee re-evaluated the design of the ICT programs and presented a report which articulated requirements that would thus provide Ahmadu Bello University with the implemental blueprint to provide the general framework and structures of Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure.

Having established the need for a strategic focus on IT the next stage was to determine the most desirable ways of achieving it. This can be done either by allowing things to evolve by themselves, which option did not work since 1999 or by adopting an organised approach where actions and activities which have been well thought out are carried out guided by appropriate policies and organs. The pre-2005 management structure or arrangement of the ICT was not capable of driving or achieving the policies and objectives of the programme, therefore on the recommendations of the investigative panel on ICT from1999-2005, an ICT Director, Dr. K.S. Chafe, was appointed in March 2006 to nurture the creation of an ICT Directorate.

Armed with a reviewed ICT policy guideline the ICT Directorate won a £1.4 million McArthur Foundation grant in 2007 for the implementation of an optical fiber intranet for the University based on a proposal it articulated. Meanwhile, this ensured the take off of an appropriate and resourceful ICT policy and programme for the University.

Mission

To create a truly digital learning environment and ensure a high and sustainable availability of Information and Communication Technology resources through total quality management, control, maintenance, and development processes that are user focused.

Philosophy

The Information and communication Technology Directorate of Ahmadu Bello University is a statutory institution mandated to provide IT standards, guidelines and policy, strategic plan, and development in the University. ICT Directorate maintains oversight for matters delegated under this jurisdiction, and acts authoritatively within the scope of Council-established policies, procedures and guidelines for its operations. DICT’s responsibilities and authority have evolved since its creation. These specific functions include:

Manage consolidated data center services as well as Implement and manage shared services;

Develop, implement, and manage a new consolidated Internet Protocol network to provide a more robust, efficient, and secure University wide infrastructure;

Provide enhanced and expanded telecommunications services to meet the growing needs of departments and units in the University;

Assist departments and units in providing secure, reliable, University wide IT operations;

Promote cyber- and network security through the development of a University wide Network and Security Operations Center;

Negotiate and manage University wide agreements for quality IT products and services to reduce the cost and increase the value of Ahmadu Bello University computer hardware, software, and services;

Develop and implement an enterprise architecture for the Ahmadu Bello University that results in rules and standards for information technology;

Provide Baseline audit, mapping, and selective benchmarking efforts that are guided by a clear vision and goals to make policymaking more focused, effective and user driven.

To Promote Innovative Use of Information Technology that Adds Value to the academic environment

To Protect Technology and Information Assets.

Staff List