JIGAWA, NIGERIA — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday commissioned key projects in Jigawa State, including a digital academy and a healthcare facility, as part of efforts to improve education, healthcare, digital innovation and food security across the country.
The projects, located in Hadejia Local Government Area, include the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Future Academy and the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Clinic. The facilities were delivered through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Hajiya Dr. Lami Ahmadu Fintiri, wife of the Governor of Adamawa State, alongside wives of governors from across the country, federal ministers, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Oluremi Tinubu described Information and Communication Technology as a key driver of national development. According to her, the Future Academy will equip young Nigerians with digital skills, innovation opportunities and entrepreneurship training to prepare them for the global digital economy while encouraging solutions to local challenges.
The First Lady also launched the National Community Food Bank Programme under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). She said the programme aims to tackle child malnutrition by establishing food banks in communities, especially within Primary Healthcare Centres, to provide nutritious food for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under six years of age.
According to Oluremi Tinubu, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed her to lead the campaign against child malnutrition because healthy pregnancies and proper nutrition are essential to improving children’s health. She announced that the Dangote Group had committed food items valued at ₦20 billion, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) would invest ₦30 billion to build Food Bank facilities across Nigeria. She also announced a personal donation of ₦500 million to support the initiative, alongside contributions from development partners.
The First Lady further commissioned two major roads named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu. According to organisers, the roads are expected to improve transportation, enhance connectivity and support economic activities within Hadejia and neighbouring communities.
Addressing traditional rulers and residents at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace, the First Lady reaffirmed her commitment to empowering women at the grassroots. She dismissed what she described as misinformation about her empowerment programmes and announced a ₦200 million grant to support 2,000 women petty traders in Jigawa State, saying criticism would not deter her efforts to improve the welfare of Nigerian women.
In his remarks, Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi described the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Future Academy as a world-class innovation hub equipped with Artificial Intelligence laboratories, robotics and fabrication facilities, startup incubation centres, Computer-Based Testing halls, collaborative workspaces, an auditorium and hostel accommodation. He added that the adjoining clinic was integrated with the academy to enable researchers and innovators to test locally developed healthcare technologies in real medical settings.
Also speaking, Governor Umar Namadi commended the Federal Government, the Renewed Hope Initiative and NITDA for delivering the projects. He said the investments would strengthen education, healthcare delivery, digital innovation and economic opportunities for residents of Jigawa State.
Extra News Nigeria reports that the commissioning forms part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare, promoting digital inclusion and improving the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians. The projects are expected to contribute to human capital development while supporting long-term economic growth in the state.
