By Amaechi Agbo

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has acquired a new campus in Enugu with the Vicc-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okloie declaring that the new campus would be Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven.

Prof Okolie who disclosed this recently, said that the new campus will acquire the building originally meant for the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), which has been handed over to the university by the Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.

The Institute, a flagship facility of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), was originally established to promote digital literacy, technological innovation, and employment generation across Nigeria’s South-East region. Its integration into ESUT is expected to significantly strengthen the university’s capacity to deliver industry-relevant digital and technology-driven education.

Speaking at ESUT’s permanent site at Ebe Ano City, Enugu, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, described the development as a major milestone in the university’s drive toward practical, hands-on digital skills training. He noted that the acquisition would expand ESUT’s academic and professional training footprint, enabling it to serve not only students and staff but also corporate organisations, government agencies, and private individuals seeking advanced ICT competencies.

According to him, Governor Mbah approved the extension of ESUT’s academic and training activities to the NCC training centre located opposite Elim Estate in Enugu and directed that the university take over the entire land and structures within the Institute.

“We have received the approval of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to extend ESUT to the NCC training centre along Nike-Nsukka road. He has directed that ESUT should assume control of the entire facility. We intend to commence intensive, hands-on training in Artificial Intelligence and other emerging digital fields at the centre. The new campus will be AI-driven and we intend to engage experts to man it,” the Vice Chancellor stated.

Professor Okolie further disclosed that the university would constitute a technical committee to develop a comprehensive blueprint for the take-off of the training programmes. The committee, he said, would outline operational frameworks, curriculum integration, partnerships, and certification pathways to ensure the centre meets global standards.

He added that the expanded management team of the university would conduct an inspection visit to the facility to take stock of available infrastructure and equipment, with the aim of commencing training programmes in the next academic session.

Emphasising ESUT’s practical orientation, the Vice Chancellor revealed that the training model at the Institute would adopt a 30–70 structure — 30 per cent theoretical content and 70 per cent applied, hands-on knowledge. This approach, he explained, is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world technological application, positioning graduates to compete effectively in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy

The new Campus is located along Nike-Nsukka road and will bring to three campuses ran by the university. The other two include ESUT College of Medicine, Parklane, Enugu and the University Main Campus in Ebe Ano City, Enugu.