The Oyo State House of Assembly has urged the state government to take urgent and deliberate steps to expand computer knowledge and digital skills among students in public schools across the state.
This call followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Minority Leader, Hon. W.A. Salami, during plenary, which underscored the growing importance of computer literacy in modern education.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, reiterated the urgency of bridging the digital divide, warning that in today’s world, digital literacy become a necessity and no longer optional but a necessity.
“Our students must be adequately equipped with the skills to compete and thrive in a technology-driven society.
“The State Government must therefore prioritise inclusive computer education as a tool for both academic success and long-term socio-economic development,” the Speaker said.
According to the motion, digital competence has become a fundamental requirement for interactive learning and improved academic performance.
Yet, many students in underserved areas such as Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and parts of Oyo remain disadvantaged due to limited exposure to digital education.
The Assembly had earlier noted that while many students are academically qualified, a significant number fail to secure university admission because of poor performance in Computer-Based Tests (CBT), especially the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by JAMB.
This, it said, is largely due to unfamiliarity with basic computer operations rather than a lack of knowledge.
To address this gap, lawmakers resolved that the Executive should intensify efforts to establish and equip computer rooms in public schools, integrate computer training from the primary school level, and ensure teachers are adequately trained.
The House further called for collaboration with JAMB to set up CBT centres in all 14 federal constituencies of Oyo State, while encouraging partnerships with philanthropists, NGOs, and international donors to expand access to digital learning tools.