Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has said that the Federal Government plans to train 1,555,000 Enugu residents in essential digital skills through NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All initiative before 2027.
The government will as well provide internet connectivity across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
The Minister made this known when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Peter Mbah at Government House, Enugu.
He commended Mbah for his developmental strides, especially in digital economy, adding that, the state was fast becoming a standard for tech-driven societies.
“Enugu is fast becoming a benchmark for how subnational governments can take bold steps to build thriving, inclusive, and tech-driven societies.
“Governor Mbah’s broader achievements in infrastructure, education, and economic reforms are commendable.
“Perhaps, most exciting for us at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is his intentional focus on building a digital economy.
“A strong example of this is the Smart Green Schools, recently inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alongside the waiving of Right of Way fees for fibre networks.
“These initiatives clearly demonstrate the governor’s commitment to equipping young people with the tools and spaces they need to thrive in the digital economy – and are a reflection of his bold vision to transform Enugu into a $30bn economy in eight years,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government would be very eager to collaborate with the state on various initiatives to grow the digital economy.
“First, through the Project 774 Connectivity, we will provide internet connectivity in all 17 local government secretariats in Enugu State powered by Galaxy Backbone (GBB) and Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMAT).
“Galaxy Backbone will partner with the state to establish a Digital Innovation Complex in Enugu, which will integrate a Tier Three III Data Centre; a co-working space for entrepreneurs, Small and Medium Enterprises, and tech startups; an Incubation hub, offering mentorship, funding access, and acceleration support and a training centre for digital skills and workforce development,” he stated.
The minister added that the Ministry would, through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), partner with the state to invest in infrastructure support such as connection of presently unconnected rural areas.
He announced that the Federal Government would establish an Artificial Intelligence Regional Centre for the South-East at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, while the Ministry would launch the already established South’East Zonal Office of the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) in Enugu in the next two months as well as plans to train 100 persons in the state on in-demand skills for cybersecurity and infrastructure defence.
