The governor gave the warning during the maiden matriculation ceremony of 187 pioneer students of the institution for the 2025/2026 academic session, held at the university’s permanent site in Oferekpe Agbaja, Izzi Local Government Area of the state.
At the ceremony, Nwifuru also announced that the state government would provide scholarships to the pioneer students if they are unable to access the Federal Government’s student loan scheme administered through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
He explained that the scholarship arrangement would ensure that no deserving student of the institution is denied access to higher education due to financial limitations.
According to the governor, the scholarship if activated will cover the students throughout their academic programmes in the university.
Describing the matriculation ceremony as a historic milestone in the educational development of the state, Nwifuru said the establishment of the ICT university represents the realisation of a long-held vision by leaders of the state to create a specialised institution dedicated to technological advancement, digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
He noted that the idea of establishing the university was initially conceived by forward-looking leaders who recognised that the future of economic growth and competitiveness lies in knowledge-driven and technology-based education.
The governor recalled that the project eventually materialized through legislative backing, strategic planning and policy continuity under successive administrations, including that of the immediate past governor, David Nweze Umahi.
Nwifuru also commended the host community of Oferekpe Agbaja for donating the land on which the institution was built, describing the gesture as a significant sacrifice for the advancement of education in the state.
He noted that the land previously served as farmland that sustained generations of families before it was voluntarily relinquished to support the development of the university.
“In their wisdom and love for progress, the community sacrificed these lands so that knowledge and innovation could flourish,” the governor said.
Nwifuru further explained that the establishment of the ICT university aligns with his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda, which prioritises education and human capital development as key drivers of socio-economic transformation.
He disclosed that the state government has already sponsored several indigenes of Ebonyi State for postgraduate studies in institutions within and outside Nigeria, with the aim of deploying them as lecturers and technical experts in the ICT university upon completion of their programmes.
According to him, the institution was conceived as a specialised university designed to produce innovators, technology experts and entrepreneurs rather than graduates who depend solely on an already saturated labour market.
He expressed concern over the rising unemployment rate in Nigeria and stressed the need for students to embrace entrepreneurship education and skill-based learning.
“The rate of unemployment is troubling, and entrepreneurship education will empower young people to become self-reliant and create employment opportunities for others,” Nwifuru said.
The governor also warned the students to resist negative influences on campus, particularly cultism, which he described as a destructive social vice capable of derailing promising academic careers.
He urged them to avoid suspicious invitations, clandestine gatherings and other activities that could expose them to recruitment by cult groups.
“Universities are centres for learning, innovation, character formation and leadership development, not breeding grounds for criminal networks.This is an institution for high flyers, not higher fools," he said.
Nwifuru advised the students to remain focused on their academic pursuits, develop meaningful relationships and serve as good ambassadors of their families, the university and the host community.
He further revealed that the state government has made significant investments in developing the physical infrastructure of the university.
According to him, the administrative complex that will house the offices of the Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers is nearing completion, while faculty buildings, lecture halls, student hostels, staff quarters and internal road networks are at advanced stages of construction.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing infrastructural development would transform the campus into a modern centre for world-class technological education and research.
Earlier in his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Ernest Ituma Egba, declared that the institution is fully operational and committed to academic excellence.
Egba disclosed that although the university was established in December 2021, it obtained operational licensing from the National Universities Commission in January 2025.
He added that the institution has since secured inclusion in federal intervention programmes, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
According to him, academic activities commenced in August 2025 with 187 students currently enrolled across 20 academic departments.
“Today, I stand boldly to declare to the world that UICTO is alive, UICTO is operational and open for academic excellence,” Egba said.
As part of activities marking the ceremony, students of the Department of Architecture presented a portrait sketch of the governor produced during their practical training in freehand sketching.
The university also unveiled a sanitary pad incinerator designed and constructed by students of the Faculty of Computing and Engineering Technology, demonstrating the institution’s focus on innovation, applied research and practical problem-solving.
In a goodwill message, a student representative from Izzi community, Chukwudi Ogbonna, expressed appreciation to the state government for establishing the institution and investing in the educational future of young people in the state.
He described the creation of the ICT university as a historic development for the Izzi people and Ebonyi State, assuring the governor that the students would justify the government’s investment through academic excellence, discipline and responsible conduct.
