The establishment of a NOUN-ACETEL Data Centre is a significant step towards enhancing the National Open University of Nigeria's data management capabilities, the Director, Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), Prof. Grace Jokthan, has said.

She stated this at an interactive meeting with representatives of the university's various directorates and Prime Touch Consultant, the project consultant at the university headquarters in Abuja.

Jokthan added that by centralising data management processes and implementing a harmonised information system, the data centre will facilitate seamless integration and improve accessibility to information for all stakeholders across all NOUN formations nationwide.

"With the physical structure of the NOUN-ACETEL Data Centre fully completed, the consultant is expected to commence speedy installation of all hard-wares, soft-wares and infrastructure necessary for optimal data management.

 "The proposed data centre is aimed at managing efficiently data from various directorates within the university and all its formations nationwide. This includes data from study centres, ensuring a comprehensive coverage and accessibility," the director said.

Specifically, she mentioned that "The meeting was to ensure alignment with the university's objectives and the specific needs of each directorate.

"As such, the consultant was invited to have an interface and first-hand understanding with representatives of the various directorates as well as provide an opportunity for stakeholders to make input on the design and functionality of the proposed data centre."

Prime Touch Consultant, represented by the trio of Dr. Tokunbo Omolokun, Valentine Chabul, and Mr. Olusanya Damilola, was engaged to establish a data centre tailored for the university's nationwide reach based on their expertise and experience in data management, added Jokthan.