Platform Petroleum Limited has officially commissioned a multi-million naira Information and Communication Technology (ICT) center, the O.B. Lulu-Briggs ICT Centre for Digital Innovations, in Obonoma, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. The facility, which was inaugurated on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, is part of a strategic corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at equipping the youth of the Niger Delta with the essential skills required for the global digital economy. Spanning a significant area and equipped with over 280 networked computer systems, the hub is designed to serve as a premier center for digital learning, software development, and computer-based testing (CBT). The project was spearheaded by the Chairman of Platform Petroleum, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, in honor of his late father, High Chief (Dr.) Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, a renowned philanthropist and industrialist.
The center is specifically positioned to bridge the digital divide in the riverine communities of Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, and Degema, reducing the historical burden on students and professionals who previously had to travel long distances to Port Harcourt for examinations and digital services. Beyond its role as an examination center for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the hub features specialized wings for training in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. During the unveiling, the Chairman emphasized that the facility is a “gateway to the world,” providing a level playing field for rural youth to compete with their urban counterparts. The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent figures including the Vice Chairman of Platform Petroleum, Ojunekwu Augustine Avuru, and the Managing Director, John Anim, who both reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable community development.
Community leaders and youth representatives in Rivers State have hailed the initiative as a transformative intervention that addresses the root causes of regional unemployment and restiveness. The Amanyanabo of Obonoma, during his remarks, noted that the ICT hub would provide a legitimate and lucrative path for the youth to engage with the modern economy. The facility also includes residential lodges for visiting instructors and support staff, ensuring that the high-level training programs are consistent and sustainable. Stakeholders maintain that the hub’s integration of digital enterprise development will help foster a new generation of “tech-preneurs” in the Niger Delta, shifting the regional narrative from oil-dependence to technological innovation.
Technology analysts observe that Platform Petroleum’s investment in ICT infrastructure is a timely response to the Federal Government’s national digital economy policy. Experts argue that for the Niger Delta to move beyond its traditional role as a resource extraction zone, there must be a deliberate push toward human capital development in high-growth sectors. They suggest that the O.B. Lulu-Briggs ICT Centre should serve as a model for other international oil companies operating in the region. Analysts maintain that the success of the hub will depend on its ability to maintain high-speed internet connectivity and a constant power supply, potentially through the adoption of renewable energy solutions as planned by the management.
The broader implications of this project point toward a significant improvement in the educational and economic prospects of the Kalabari kingdom and the wider Rivers State. By providing a localized infrastructure for digital skills, Platform Petroleum is effectively future-proofing its host communities against the eventual decline of the fossil fuel industry. The project also bolsters the state’s capacity for large-scale national examinations, ensuring that students in remote areas are not disenfranchised by logistical barriers. As the center commences its full training cycle, the focus remains on the quality of the curriculum and the placement of its graduates in the global tech market. For the youth of Obonoma and surrounding areas, the hub represents a tangible promise of a more inclusive and prosperous digital future.
