Says initiative to boost rural digital literacy
By Israel Adamu, Jos
Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to and former senator representing Plateau South, , has donated a Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre to her constituency in Plateau State to improve access to examination facilities and tackle low digital literacy among rural students.
The former lawmaker also directed the immediate training of more than 100 students from various secondary schools in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as part of efforts to equip young people with practical digital skills.
Senator Daduut said the initiative was designed to empower children in rural communities with basic computer knowledge, noting that many students still lack the digital competence needed for modern learning and computer-based examinations.
According to her, the intervention became necessary following observations during the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), where several candidates reportedly struggled to operate computer systems due to limited exposure to ICT tools.
She stressed that digital literacy has become essential in today’s education system and that early exposure to computer education is critical for rural students.
The senator disclosed that the CBT centre, located in in Quan’pan Local Government Area, was built in her honour and donated by her grandchildren.
She explained that the facility would serve not only as a JAMB examination centre but also as a digital training hub for students and community members preparing for future examinations.
“It will help students overcome their fear of computers and build confidence in using digital tools, which are now central to modern learning and assessment,” she said.
Daduut added that she had earlier facilitated the establishment of a similar ICT centre in , equipped with computers and learning materials to support digital education.
She described the latest intervention as part of her continued commitment to grassroots educational development and youth empowerment through technology.
The former senator further stated that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President , particularly in the area of innovation and digital inclusion.
She said the project is intended to bridge the gap between rural and urban students by giving them equal opportunities to compete in an increasingly digital world.
Speaking during the commissioning of the centre, the traditional ruler of Kwala Moeda District, , commended Daduut for what he described as a major contribution to community development.
He urged residents and youths to take ownership of the facility and maximise its benefits.
Beneficiaries of the project also praised the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful for students who previously lacked access to ICT infrastructure.
One of the beneficiaries, , said the centre would improve digital awareness and better prepare candidates for computer-based examinations.
Another beneficiary, , described the centre as a catalyst for educational advancement and long-term digital empowerment in the area.
