The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC has handed over its Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre in Enugu to the State Government under a 15-year operational lease, in a move aimed at expanding digital skills, supporting startups and creating new opportunities in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said at the handover ceremony in Enugu that the facilities were designed to develop the people, ideas and enterprises needed to drive the country’s digital future.
Maida said the partnership would enable the facilities to support digital skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, investment attraction and job creation, while positioning Enugu as a potential hub for business process outsourcing, knowledge process outsourcing and other technology-enabled services.
He stressed that the impact of the facilities would be measured not by the quality of their infrastructure but by the number of people trained, businesses created, ideas developed and jobs generated.
According to him, the NCC’s decision to transfer the facilities for activation by the Enugu State Government was informed by the state’s investments in education, infrastructure, innovation and digital capacity.
He said the partnership was expected to support Enugu’s ambition to become a leading destination for digital services, artificial intelligence, startup incubation, outsourcing, research and technology-enabled enterprises.
Maida linked the initiative to Nigeria’s broader digital economy agenda, particularly efforts to expand digital infrastructure, improve digital literacy, promote innovation and strengthen indigenous content development.
He said the initiative also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the national ambition to build a $1 trillion economy driven by productivity, innovation and private sector growth.
The NCC chief executive commended Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for what he described as purposeful leadership and increased investments in infrastructure, education and skills development.
He specifically cited the state government’s plan to recruit about 6,500 teachers under the Smart Green Schools initiative, noting that investments in human capital were critical to achieving sustainable development.
Maida said infrastructure such as roads, broadband networks, technology platforms and digital learning facilities could only deliver their full value when supported by people with the knowledge and skills to use them productively.
He noted that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, automation and other digital technologies made it increasingly important for Nigeria to equip its citizens with relevant skills.
The NCC boss also stressed the importance of collaboration among federal and state governments, the private sector, academia and development partners in building a sustainable digital economy.
He said the Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre would provide young people with opportunities to acquire relevant digital skills, enable entrepreneurs to develop viable businesses and help local enterprises connect with markets and opportunities beyond Enugu and Nigeria.
Maida reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to initiatives that expand digital opportunities, strengthen human capital and ensure that more communities benefit from Nigeria’s digital transformation.