• APC Oyo South senatorial candidate unveils N280m AI-powered education initiative across nine LGAs

Nifemi Peters

IBADAN — The member representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South in the 2027 general election, Hon. Remi Oseni, has intensified efforts to reposition education through technology with the launch of the Remi Oseni Smart Learning Intervention Legacy Programme (ROSMA), a digital education initiative valued at over N280 million.

The unveiling of the first ROSMA Smart Learning Hub at Agbadagudu, Ibadan, on Thursday marked the beginning of an ambitious programme aimed at expanding access to technology-driven education and equipping students across Oyo South with globally relevant digital skills.

Under the initiative, one fully equipped Smart Learning Hub will be established in each of the nine local government areas of Oyo South Senatorial District, offering free training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, coding, digital marketing, data analysis, digital literacy, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the launch, Oseni said the initiative was conceived as a sustainable response to the growing demand for digital education, stressing that the future belongs to societies that invest in knowledge, innovation and technology.

According to him, ROSMA is designed to bridge the digital divide by ensuring that students, irrespective of their socio-economic background, have access to modern learning facilities capable of preparing them for future careers.

“Education remains the greatest investment any society can make. Through ROSMA, we are creating opportunities for our young people to acquire digital knowledge and practical skills that will enable them compete with their peers anywhere in the world.

“Our goal is to build a generation of innovators, problem-solvers and technology leaders. This initiative is not just about providing computers; it is about creating opportunities that will transform lives and secure the future of Oyo South,” Oseni said.

The federal lawmaker disclosed that, in addition to digital skills training, the programme would provide free WAEC and NECO registration, JAMB sponsorship, bursaries, scholarships and entrepreneurship support for deserving students.

He noted that the intervention reflects his commitment to human capital development, describing education as the foundation for sustainable economic growth and social progress.

Project Director of ROSMA, Demilade Akin-Alabi, said the programme represents a bold step towards democratising access to quality education and technology across Oyo South.

He disclosed that five Smart Learning Hubs have already been completed in Eruwa, Agbadagudu, Ido, Oke-Ado and Oja-Igbo, while construction is ongoing in the remaining four local government areas.

“The ROSMA Learning Hubs are designed to become centres of innovation where students can develop digital competence, critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills needed for the future,” he said.

Project Manager, Oluwafemi Odeyemi, explained that implementation would begin with a three-day Train-the-Trainers programme to prepare facilitators ahead of the commencement of learning activities.

Also speaking, Bisi Akin-Alabi said all the centres are powered by solar energy to guarantee uninterrupted learning, adding that students would have access to computers, internet-enabled research facilities and interactive educational applications in mathematics, science and digital literacy.

One of the beneficiaries, Hikmat Shuaib, an SS2 student of St. Anne’s School, Molete, Ibadan, described the initiative as a life-changing opportunity and pledged to maximise the facilities to improve her academic performance and digital competence.

About 250 students drawn from 25 secondary schools attended the unveiling ceremony, which stakeholders described as a landmark investment in education and a significant milestone in advancing digital inclusion and youth empowerment across Oyo South.