The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has handed over the NCC Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre in Enugu to the Enugu State Government under a 15-year operational lease, in a move aimed at deepening Nigeria’s digital economy and expanding technology-driven opportunities.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Enugu, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the facilities were designed to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development.
“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,” Maida said.
He noted that the Commission was confident in transferring the facilities to the Enugu State Government because of its commitment to education, innovation, digital capacity and infrastructure development.
“Buildings alone do not create innovation. People do. Ideas do. Entrepreneurs do. And partnerships bring all these elements together,” he said.
According to Maida, the success of the facilities would be measured by the skills they help develop, businesses they nurture and jobs they create rather than the quality of the physical infrastructure.
He added that the partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the goal of building a $1 trillion economy driven by innovation, productivity and private sector growth.
“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 chief also commended Governor Peter Mbah for what he described as purposeful leadership, citing investments in infrastructure, education and the recruitment of about 6,500 teachers under the state’s Smart Green Schools initiative.
“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 only achieve their objectives if citizens possess the skills to use them effectively.
Maida also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, the private sector, academia and development partners to advance 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 will provide young people with digital skills, support entrepreneurs in developing innovative businesses and connect local enterprises to opportunities within and beyond Nigeria.
