Last Updated on January 8, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
… Says 240-Capacity Computer Laboratory to be Commissioned during 33rd Convocation Ceremony
By Raymond Osemene
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has commended members of the Google Developers Group (GDG) on Campus for their innovation, resilience and commitment to projecting the University on the global technology stage, while reaffirming Management’s readiness to support and partner with the student-led tech community.
Prof. Kehinde gave the commendation today, January 7, 2026, when the group paid him a visit. He described the group’s initiatives as inspiring and impactful, challenging the students to go beyond merely passing through the University. He urged them to allow the institution “pass through them” by leaving enduring legacies of innovation, creativity and problem-solving.
The Vice-Chancellor cited notable alumni, including the founder of the civic-tech platform BudgIT, Mr. Seun Onigbinde, as examples of how academic training could be translated into technology-driven solutions to national and global challenges. He noted that many successful innovators did not necessarily study core technology courses but built thriving careers in the tech ecosystem through passion, continuous skill acquisition and collaboration.
Expressing satisfaction with the achievements of the group, Prof. Kehinde assured them of the University’s institutional backing and encouraged them to remain focused despite bureaucratic challenges. Addressing their infrastructural needs, he disclosed the availability of campus facilities that could be repurposed for their activities, adding that plans were underway to develop an Innovation Hub with a capacity of over 100 users.
He further pledged to connect the group with industry leaders and philanthropists interested in supporting student innovation. According to him, key stakeholders, including the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, and other industry leaders, are expected on campus on January 30, 2026, for the commissioning of a 240-capacity computer laboratory and other landmark projects as part of activities marking the 33rd Convocation Ceremony, scheduled to commence on January 23, 2026.
Earlier, the Team Lead, Google Developers Group on Campus, Mr. Ahmad Yusuf, said Google operates a globally supported network of aspiring developers across over 500 universities in more than 100 countries, noting that FUNAAB chapter has established multiple learning and innovation tracks. These include photography and videography, frontend, backend and mobile development, as well as emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
Mr. Yusuf explained that through these platforms, members have gained hands-on experience, built professional capacity and secured meaningful opportunities, with some members having their academic and technical papers accepted at international conferences for both virtual and physical presentations. He attributed these achievements to the enabling environment created by the current University Administration.
He added that the group holds regular hands-on workshops, with Wednesdays serving as a convergence day for Google developers on campus. Beyond the campus chapter, he noted that the group maintains strong ties with the wider Google Developer Group network at state and regional levels, which hosts flagship annual events for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and innovation showcase. Mr. Yusuf also announced plans for the group’s first student-led global event, the G-Spark Summit, scheduled for April 5, 2026.
Present at the meeting were the Ag. Director, Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Services (DICTS), Mr. Temitope Soretire, and members of the Google Developers Group on Campus, including Abdulqayyum Ajibike, Maqsudhat Bisiriyu and Daniel Olufemi.
