The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has operationally leased its Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre to the Enugu State Government to widen access to digital skills across Nigeria.
Signed at the Enugu State Government House on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the agreement commits the state to converting the learning centre into the Enugu Talent City and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute, advancing Governor Peter Mbah’s digital economy agenda.
The lease takes the form of a 15-year partnership. NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), Dr. Aminu Maida, and other members of the NCC management team attended the signing ceremony.
The NCC Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre functions as a hub for innovation, human capital development, and entrepreneurship. It is intended to boost young people’s digital skills, support start-ups, create jobs, and prepare Nigerian youths to compete in the global technology market.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Maida noted that the facility itself does not create innovation; rather, innovation is driven by people.
“Buildings alone do not create innovation. People do. Ideas do. Entrepreneurs do. Partnerships bring all these elements together,” he said.
He explained that the Enugu State Government is well-positioned to maximize the purpose for which the facility was established.
“We believe that, with these facilities activated by the Enugu State Government, young people will acquire 21st-century skills, entrepreneurs will transform ideas into viable businesses, and local enterprises will connect to opportunities beyond Enugu and across Nigeria,” he added.
Dr. Maida said the partnership supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to expanding digital opportunities nationwide, adding that the Commission is prepared to replicate similar partnerships in any state or community that embraces the initiative as part of its drive for digital inclusion.
Governor Peter Mbah praised President Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, saying the lease demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive governance.
Citing global forecasts, he noted that artificial intelligence is expected to add about $20 trillion to the world economy by 2030 and stressed that Enugu will not let its youth miss out on the AI revolution.
Mbah said his administration is determined to showcase Enugu’s brightest talents and enable young people to offer services remotely to the global market while remaining in the state.
“It is not a space you want your young ones to be missing. We also believe that our talents, our brightest talents, should not be exported in person. We believe that they should export their talents outside the country from here, and that is why we see huge benefits in these assets in terms of job creation and opportunities for our young people,” he said.
The governor also assured that the state government would ensure the Digital Park is effectively utilized and that it will fulfill the purpose for which it was built.
0 comments:
Post a Comment