The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has inaugurated a community learning centre in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, as part of efforts to boost informal education and youth empowerment nationwide.
At the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, represented by Prof. Leo Daniel, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, said the centre would serve multiple functions—ranging from adult education and digital literacy to skills acquisition and youth empowerment.
“The Community and Education Centre at Ikot Abasi will serve multiple purposes as a place of learning, as a hub for skill acquisition, digital literacy, adult education, and youth empowerment,” the minister stated.
Ahmad emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing educational challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and low school retention, particularly in rural areas and among girls. She noted that the centre aligns with broader plans to close these gaps through collaborative efforts with state and local governments and development agencies.
She further disclosed that the government aims to empower at least 650,000 youths in the next two years with technical, vocational, and digital skills relevant to the country’s evolving industrial and labour demands.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ubong Umoh, assured the Federal Government of the state’s readiness to protect the facility from vandalism and maximize its benefits for the people.
Eno praised the initiative as aligning with his administration’s policy focus on education, and he encouraged local communities to take ownership of the project to enhance learning and overall wellbeing.
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Prof. Simon Akpama, highlighted the centre’s role in equipping Nigerians with knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to national development.
(NAN)