By Peter Omopo
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has handed over its Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre in Enugu to the Enugu State Government under a 15-year operational lease, as part of efforts to expand digital skills, entrepreneurship and technology driven opportunities in the state.
The handover ceremony took place in Enugu, where the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the facilities were established to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development.
Maida said the centres were designed to strengthen digital skills, support startups, attract investments and create jobs while positioning Nigeria to compete in business process outsourcing, knowledge process outsourcing and other technology enabled services.
“These facilities were conceived as platforms for innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development. They were designed to deepen digital skills, support startups, attract investment, create jobs and position Nigeria as a competitive destination for business process outsourcing, knowledge process outsourcing and other technology-enabled services,” he said.
The NCC chief said the Commission was confident in transferring the facilities to the state because of the Enugu State Government’s commitment to education, innovation, digital capacity and infrastructure development.
According to him, the value of the facilities would ultimately be determined by the people and businesses they empower rather than the physical structures themselves.
“Buildings alone do not create innovation. People do. Ideas do. Entrepreneurs do. And partnerships bring all these elements together,” Maida said.
He said the partnership supports the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the ambition of building a $1 trillion economy through innovation, productivity and private sector growth.
Maida expressed optimism that the initiative would support Enugu’s ambition to become a major destination for digital services, artificial intelligence, startup incubation, outsourcing, research and other technology driven enterprises.
“Our expectation is that this partnership will support Enugu’s ambition to become a leading destination for digital services, artificial intelligence, startup incubation, outsourcing, research and technology-enabled enterprise,” he said.
The NCC boss also commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for what he described as purposeful leadership, particularly investments in infrastructure and education.
He cited the state government’s recruitment of about 6,500 teachers under its Smart Green Schools initiative as evidence of its focus on human capital development.
“No investment delivers more enduring returns than investment in people,” Maida said.
He stressed that infrastructure such as broadband networks, digital learning facilities and technology platforms would have limited impact without citizens possessing the skills required to utilise them effectively.
Maida further called for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments, the private sector, academia and development partners to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“No single institution can build Nigeria’s digital future alone. The Federal Government, state governments, the private sector, academia and development partners all have complementary roles to play,” he said.
The NCC said the Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre would provide young Nigerians with digital skills, support entrepreneurs in developing innovative businesses and connect local enterprises with opportunities within and outside the country.
