MainOne Backs OAU’s NgREN Initiative

MainOne, the leading communications Service Company and first private undersea cable company to land in Nigeria and Ghana, has identified National Research and Education Networks (NREN) services as a factor for the increment of knowledge development in Nigeria.

Ms. Funke Opeke, MainOne CEO, represented by the Head, Public Sector Sales, Gbenga Osinoiki, stated this in a presentation titled – “Sustainable National Development through Research and Education Networks: the MainOne advantage” at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Research Education Network (REN) held at the ICT Centre in Software Engineering, Ile-Ife with the theme; “Sustainable National Development through Research and Education Networks.”

Opeke enumerated key features of the Research and Education Network to include: transformation vehicle, innovation incubator, an economic development engine and an essential global platform for national and educational development. 

She commended efforts of the UbuntuNet Alliance for Research and Education Networking schemes across Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Mozambique, South Africa and eight other NRENs, and noted that though they are successful, there is still need for the provision of high speed internet connectivity to universities at even lower costs, she explained.

She also acknowledged efforts by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVC) for their support of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), noting that the Network service would be beneficial for the development of e-education and social networking.

MainOne’s contribution to the propagation of ICT development in education and tertiary institutions form a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility tripod of Education, Information and Communications Technology in addition to mentoring of the Girl-Child.
 
MainOne is also leading sponsor of the annual Software Competition organized by the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, the Girls-In-ICT Day, TENT as well as supports ideation and innovation clubs, such as the Co-Creation Hub, among others.