Natasha installs free internet at Kogi federal college

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has facilitated the installation of a free campus-wide Wi-Fi facility at the Federal College of Education, Okene.

The initiative, unveiled on Sunday, is aimed at improving internet access for students and enhancing teaching, learning, research and innovation in the institution.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by her media aide, Mike Idoko.

The project comes weeks after the senator launched the “Growing Kogi Central, Building Our Future” 10,000 Economic Trees Project, an initiative designed to promote environmental sustainability and economic empowerment in the district.

Speaking after the installation, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the intervention was part of her commitment to expanding educational opportunities and preparing young people for the digital economy.

She said, “Education remains one of the greatest investments we can make in our future. Access to the internet is no longer a luxury; it is an essential tool for learning, innovation, research, and economic empowerment. Our students deserve the same digital opportunities available anywhere in the world.

This free Wi-Fi initiative is designed to remove barriers to knowledge, encourage innovation, support academic excellence, and equip our young people with the digital skills required to compete globally. We will continue to invest in projects that improve lives and build a stronger, more prosperous Kogi Central.”

The senator said improved internet connectivity would enable students to access international learning resources, online certification programmes, artificial intelligence, software development, entrepreneurship and remote employment opportunities.

Some students who spoke after the inauguration welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major boost to academic activities.

According to them, the facility will reduce the cost of purchasing internet data, improve access to digital libraries and online courses, and help students acquire skills needed to compete in the global digital economy.

They added that stable internet access would also support virtual learning, research, innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship.

Education stakeholders also commended the initiative, noting that reliable internet connectivity has become essential for research, online learning, academic collaboration and digital inclusion in higher institutions.