Cisco has joined forces with AMB Multiserve in Nigeria, to deploy a Cisco Unified Wireless Network, which will connect more than 40,000 staff and students at the University of Lagos across its three campuses.
In addition, the use of the solution will make way for a complete upgrade and/or replacement of existing, obsolete IT infrastructure and networking equipment. The project will also see to the provision of 300 computer terminals located at designated computer laboratories for use for free by students and faculty members.
Prof. Tolu Odugbemi, vice-chancellor of the university, expressed enthusiasm about the Cisco solution and the benefits that will accrue to the institution. “At the University of Lagos, we pride ourselves as being the university of first choice in Nigeria and the nation’s pride. In keeping with that, we are very keen to embrace the future of education which is a borderless system that exposes our student to globally available body of knowledge and opportunities right here in Nigeria.”
He added that “Very recently we made good on our promise to computerize this citadel of learning when we commenced our laptop for each staff and student project. Today, this partnership with AMB Multiserve and Cisco, with the objective to ensure that University of Lagos enjoys seamless Internet service anywhere and anytime on this campus, takes us several steps ahead in our quest to provide international standards and opportunities for our students and staff. Indeed the opportunities are limitless and we are very proud to partner with these organizations on this project.”
AMB Multiserve, who deployed the solution, would manage the Wireless Metropolitan Area Network as a commercial venture and transfer ownership to the university at the end of an agreed term.
In his address, Soji Romeo, CEO, AMB Multiserve thanked Cisco and other partners whose efforts led to the success of the partnership. “The collaboration with Cisco has seen the emergence of a novel achievement in the Nigerian educational sector where the scope of education is no longer restricted to the four-walls of a university. The whole project was executed with no financial burden to the niversity. On the contrary, it will serve as a source of additional income to the citadel of learning as the university will receive 40% of the revenue from the commercial operation of the network.”
A token of N1000 per student per semester will be levied new students and N500 for old students. In addition, students will be given the option of paying a soon to be disclosed amount for personalized Internet access per month which would compare favorably with local cybercafés that charge N100/hour.
According to Napa Onwusah, strategic account manager, Cisco English West Africa, “Cisco is very proud to be associated with this landmark project and thanks the university for choosing Cisco as its wireless networking platform. This solution will create an entirely wireless environment that will not only free teachers from the blackboard but encourage student interaction and even allow them to carry a PDA or a laptop instead of a backpack. Indeed University of Lagos is set to change the future of education globally and we are excited that we were a part of this history making experience”