I N T E C U

History

The initiative to establish academic networks for Nigerian Universities came from Professor G. O. Ajayi of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile-Ife. The International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, now Abdul Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste , Italy ) hosts an Academic Computer Network project for developing countries. Professor Ajayi had been a scholar in Trieste and in his personal recognition, Obafemi Awolowo University was proposed as the first node of the ICTP project in Nigeria . An alumnus of IFE , Dr. E. Ekuwem of TELEDOM International Limited, then a Fellow at ICTP, Trieste , conducted the feasibility study, the outcome of which facilitated the choice of IFE for the project. The then Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wale Omole, gave tremendous personal and executive support for the actualization of the project.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and ICTP was signed in early 1996 with the two institutions agreeing to collaborate in the establishment of a pilot educational and research computer network at the OAU. It was envisaged that such a network would provide access to international information networks necessary for the promotion of science and technology at the University in particular and in Nigeria as a whole. Under the project, a University Campus network, code-named OAUNet, was established with ultimate INTERNET connectivity. The project itself was code-named OAU/ICTP ACADEMIC COMPUTER NETWORK PROJECT.

The following are the collaborating units and the members of the Planning and Implementation Committee of the network project:

Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering:
Prof. G. O. Ajayi
Prof. L. O. Kehinde

Department of Computer Science and Engineering:
Prof. A. D. Akinde
Dr. F. J. Ogwu
Dr. E. R. Adagunodo

more: