MTN Nigeria has signaled strong plans to support the digital transformation of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), positioning the institution for a transition into a smart university powered by advanced technological integration.
The commitment was made during a strategic meeting between officials of and the management of (FUOYE) at the University’s Senate Building on February 26, 2026.
Leading the delegation, the Senior Manager, Enterprise Business (Lagos and Southwest Region), Mr. Idowu Loye, emphasized that MTN’s engagement with the University would go far beyond conventional telecommunication services.
“MTN is a technology organization. We have grown beyond making phone calls. We are not just selling services to you; we are your partners,” Loye said.
He explained that the company has evolved into a technology-driven enterprise with capacity to deliver ICT infrastructure, cloud solutions, and digital systems that can power institutional growth.
Addressing previous concerns about network quality on campus, Loye acknowledged that the University had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with service delivery. According to him, the feedback prompted internal reviews and improvements.
“Some time ago, we received complaints that our services were not satisfactory. We took this seriously and made efforts to improve our support here,” he said.
He added that MTN can now offer broader enterprise solutions, including ICT and cloud-based services designed to strengthen institutional systems.
“Today, we can offer much more, including ICT and cloud solutions. We believe there is still more we can do to enhance our collaboration,” he stated.
Loye stressed that the renewed engagement is about pooling resources to build sustainable digital infrastructure that supports learning, administration, and financial transactions within the University.
“Our services enable people to transact business, transfer money, and access digital platforms. It goes beyond calling; it is about empowering people and institutions,” he said.
Drawing from past experience, he referenced MTN’s partnership with , where technological integration helped transform the institution into a smart university. He assured FUOYE management that similar innovation-driven support could be extended to accelerate its digital agenda.
On the University’s side, the Director of ICT, Mr. Samson Durojaye, outlined areas that require urgent improvement, noting that previous third-party arrangements dating back to 2020 affected service delivery and led to renegotiation of payment terms.
He emphasized that the institution’s technological needs now extend beyond voice communication, particularly with the growing reliance on online meetings, digital platforms, and technology-enabled academic processes.
High costs and inconsistent service delivery were also identified as operational challenges that must be addressed to ensure sustainable collaboration.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Afolabi, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to digitalization. He highlighted the Vice-Chancellor’s vision to fully digitize FUOYE’s operations, including the introduction of online examinations and broader institutional digital transformation initiatives.
“The Vice-Chancellor is committed to taking this University to greater heights through digitalization,” Afolabi said.
“We are ready to strengthen our relationship with MTN. Let us clearly outline expectations on both sides and work together to resolve outstanding issues promptly.”
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks from the Academic Affairs Officer, Mrs. Blessing Eyiolorunpe, who appreciated both parties for their constructive engagement.
With both institutions expressing readiness to deepen collaboration, the renewed partnership signals a strategic move toward transforming FUOYE into a digitally connected, innovation-driven smart university backed by enterprise-grade technology infrastructure.
