Digital Economy Gets Major Boost as NCC Leases Digital Industrial Park, Learning Centre to Enugu Govt
…Maida applauds Mbah’s Smart Schools, infrastructure, AI-driven development agenda
In a significant boost to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope digital economy agenda, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has signed a 15-year lease agreement with the Enugu State Government, handing over its Digital Industrial Park and Digital Learning Centre to accelerate innovation, digital skills acquisition and artificial intelligence development in the state.
The landmark agreement, signed on Tuesday at the Enugu State Government House, will see the facilities transformed into the Enugu Talent City and a world-class Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute, in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of positioning Enugu as Nigeria’s foremost digital innovation hub.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, described the partnership as a strategic intervention that aligns with President Tinubu’s ambition of building a $1 trillion Nigerian economy anchored on innovation, technology, productivity and private sector-led growth.
According to him, Governor Mbah has demonstrated a clear commitment to transforming Enugu into a leading digital economy through sustained investments in education, infrastructure, technology and human capital development.
“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 enterprises,” Maida said.
He explained that the Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre were established not merely as physical infrastructure but as platforms for nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship and skilled manpower capable of driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“We expect these facilities to become centres where young people acquire globally relevant digital skills, entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into viable businesses, and local enterprises connect with opportunities beyond Nigeria.
“Buildings alone do not create innovation. People do. Ideas do. Entrepreneurs do. Partnerships like this are what bring all these elements together,” he stated.
The NCC boss further commended Governor Mbah’s Smart Green Schools initiative, describing it as a bold investment in the future workforce and a demonstration of visionary leadership.
“Physical infrastructure is important, but it cannot deliver sustainable prosperity on its own. The Smart Green Schools initiative reflects an understanding that preparing today’s children for tomorrow’s economy must begin now.
“Technology-enabled classrooms, digital learning environments, robotics laboratories and artificial intelligence facilities clearly show that education must evolve alongside technological advancement. That is leadership with the future in mind,” he noted.
Maida added that investment in education and digital skills would improve productivity, create economic opportunities and enhance the capacity of individuals and businesses to generate value in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
He stressed that with artificial intelligence rapidly transforming industries and automation redefining the workplace, governments must proactively prepare citizens for emerging opportunities.
Responding, Governor Peter Mbah commended President Tinubu for recognising the critical role of the digital economy in achieving the administration’s economic vision, noting that states would play a central role in driving that transformation.
He observed that artificial intelligence is projected to contribute nearly $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030, stressing that Enugu could not afford to allow its young population to miss out on the opportunities offered by the technology.
“It is not a space where we want our young people to be absent. We believe our brightest talents should not be exported physically. Rather, they should export their skills and services from Enugu to the rest of the world,” the governor said.
Mbah disclosed that the state government plans to transform the Digital Bridge Institute into a globally competitive Artificial Intelligence Institute, while repositioning the Digital Industrial Park into a continental technology hub.
According to him, discussions are already ongoing with international partners, including experts from Qatar, to establish the facility as an AI certification centre for Africa.
Expressing confidence in the partnership, the governor assured the NCC that the confidence reposed in Enugu State would yield measurable results.
“I am convinced that in a few years, we will all look back with pride at the decision taken today to activate these strategic assets and make them productive for our people,” he stated.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Arinze Chilo-Ofia, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the NCC for entrusting the facilities to Enugu State.
He assured that the state government would fully optimise the Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre to achieve the objectives for which they were established, while expanding opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation and digital excellence across the state.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
