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| Photo credit — Army Staff’s - Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola |
The Nigerian Army has commissioned a fully furnished, solar-powered 30-seater computer laboratory equipped with high-speed internet at Agunbiade Victory High School in Magbon, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The project forms part of the Chief of Army Staff’s Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiative and was commissioned on 29 September 2026.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola, described the facility as a timely intervention that will expand access to digital learning resources for students of the school and surrounding communities in Magbon.
According to the Army, the laboratory is designed to create a conducive environment for teaching, research, and innovation while improving computer literacy and technological competence among young people. The inclusion of a solar power system addresses the perennial challenge of unreliable electricity supply that often limits the use of ICT facilities in many Nigerian public schools.
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Project Background and Purpose
The laboratory was initiated in honour of Major General Ismail Dapo Oloyede, an alumnus of Agunbiade Victory High School. Oloyede explained that the intervention was his way of giving back to the institution that shaped his early development and instilled the discipline that guided his military career. He expressed hope that the facility would inspire learning, creativity, and innovation among current and future students.
Major General Mohammed Etsu Indagi, Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, noted that the COAS Special Intervention CIMIC Project is specifically designed to honour senior military officers (usually of Major General rank) by supporting the communities that produced them. Previous interventions under the scheme have covered healthcare facilities, potable water projects, school construction and renovation, roads, and bridges across different parts of the country.
Why Solar-Powered Computer Labs Matter
Reliable electricity remains one of the biggest obstacles to digital education in many Nigerian secondary schools. By powering the laboratory with solar energy, the project ensures that students can access computers and the internet consistently, independent of the national grid.
Combined with high-speed internet connectivity, the 30 computer workstations will enable students to:
• Develop practical ICT skills
• Access online educational resources and digital libraries
• Conduct research and complete assignments more effectively
• Prepare for computer-based examinations that are increasingly becoming the norm
Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, welcomed the initiative. He noted that the combination of computers, solar power, and internet access will help the school keep pace with the demands of modern digital education and prevent students from being left behind.
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Community Responsibility and Sustainability
During the commissioning, the Chief of Army Staff urged the school management, the Magbon community, and other stakeholders to take ownership of the facility. He emphasised the need for adequate security, routine maintenance, and responsible use so that the laboratory can serve generations of students.
The event was attended by serving and retired senior military officers, officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Education, traditional rulers, members of the Old Students Association, staff, and students of the school.
Broader Context
This project is one of several education-focused interventions executed under the Nigerian Army’s Civil-Military Cooperation programme. Such initiatives complement government efforts to improve learning outcomes and infrastructure in public schools while strengthening the relationship between the military and civilian communities.
For students in Magbon and adjoining areas, the new solar-powered computer laboratory represents more than just hardware — it is an opportunity to build the digital skills required in today’s knowledge-driven economy.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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