At a time when digital literacy is no longer optional but essential, one lawmaker in Lagos is doing more than just talk. Last weekend, Rep. Babajimi “Jimi” Benson unveiled a state-of-the-art ICT centre at Ikorodu Town Hall, a bold gesture in a broader campaign to make his constituency a digital hub.
A Quiet Revolution in Constituency Development
This is not Benson’s first foray into tech infrastructure. Over the past few years, his administration has delivered:
- A prior “large” ICT facility in Ikorodu, named after ex–Deputy Governor Prince Abiodun Ogunleye.
- Mini digital centres at Methodist Primary School, Igbogbo and Anglican Primary School, Isawo (Ikorodu West LCDA)
- Another major ICT centre currently under construction in Imota LCDA
- His earlier kick-off for a 150-seat ICT hub at Town Hall, initiated in 2024, laid much of the groundwork.
What this pattern reveals is more than constituency projects — it signals a sustained push to scale access and opportunity in the digital age.
What Makes the New Centre Different
The newly commissioned facility, handed over to Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), is not just a computer lab. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- 150 laptops, 15 CCTV cameras, fire alarms, air conditioners, speakers, and full power and security systems
- Offices, toilets, and infrastructure intended for full functionality
- Plans to collaborate with Senator Abiru’s SAIL Lab for structured training courses — elevating the centre beyond a study hall to a skills incubator
In his remarks, Rep. Benson challenged other divisions to take a leaf from Ikorodu’s playbook — “let other divisions emulate them,” he said. He also urged youths to use their tech knowledge ethically, steering clear of cybercrime.
Voices From the Ground
Arch. Taiwo Kara, IDRDG’s chairman, described the facility as “a gateway to opportunities” — not just bricks and wires.
Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Works Minister and now IDRDG CBT/ICT Chairman, praised Benson’s investment in education and outreach.
Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Rural Development, emphasized that this centre levels the playing field for Ikorodu’s youth to compete nationally.
Beyond Ikorodu: What This Means for Digital Nigeria
In a country where access to ICT remains uneven — especially in semiurban and rural zones — what Benson is doing in Ikorodu matters more than local politics. Empowering students with digital tools, test prep capabilities, and ethical ICT skills is a direct investment in Nigeria’s human capital.
Ikorodu, long considered part of Lagos’s suburban fringe, could courtesy of its dynamic and visionary Rep, Jimi Benson, soon become a model constituency, a place where dreams of “coding careers” don’t end at urban borders, but begin in local community halls.
Henry Balogun
Lawyer | Social & Political Commentator | Publisher, HB Report
