By George Ozalla
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has handed over its Digital Industrial Park (DIP) and Learning Centre in Enugu to the Enugu State Government under a 15-year operational lease, in a move aimed at expanding digital skills, supporting innovation and creating opportunities for young people and technology-driven businesses.
The handover took place at the Government House, Enugu, where the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the Commission was confident that the Enugu State Government possesses the vision and commitment needed to put the facilities to productive use. This was contained in a press statement signed by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha.
Maida said the Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre were established to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development by equipping young Nigerians with digital skills, supporting start-up businesses, attracting investments and creating employment opportunities in the technology sector.
He explained that the project is not merely about providing modern buildings but about creating an environment where ideas can flourish, businesses can grow and people can acquire the skills required in today’s digital economy.
According to him, the true value of the facilities will be measured by the number of businesses they help to nurture, the quality of skills developed, the jobs created and the economic opportunities they generate for Nigerians.
The NCC boss said the Commission considered Enugu a suitable partner because of the state government’s sustained investments in education, infrastructure, innovation and digital capacity, expressing optimism that the partnership would strengthen the state’s drive to become a leading destination for digital services, artificial intelligence, business process outsourcing, research, startup incubation and other technology-based enterprises.
He noted that the initiative supports the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the administration’s vision of building a one-trillion-dollar economy driven by innovation, productivity and private sector participation.
Maida commended Governor Peter Mbah for prioritising investments in education and human capital development, describing the ongoing recruitment of about 6,500 teachers under the state’s Smart Green Schools initiative as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to preparing young people for the future.
He stressed that roads, broadband infrastructure, digital platforms and other public investments can only deliver lasting benefits when citizens possess the knowledge and skills to utilise them effectively, especially at a time when artificial intelligence, automation and other emerging technologies are reshaping economies and workplaces across the world.
Maida also called for closer collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector, academic institutions and development partners, saying the task of building Nigeria’s digital economy requires collective effort and sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
The Commission expressed confidence that the Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre will provide a platform for young people to acquire practical digital skills, support entrepreneurs in building successful businesses and enable local enterprises to access opportunities beyond Enugu and across Nigeria.
