The Federal Government is to train over 1.5 million residents in Enugu State under a digital economy growth plan in the state, according to Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Under the plan, the FG plans to expand internet access, build tech hubs, and train over 1.5 million residents in Enugu State.
The initiatives, announced during a visit by Tijani to Enugu, aims to support Governor Peter Mbah’s goal of growing the state’s economy to $30 billion by 2032.
Tijani praised Enugu’s “bold steps” under Mbah, including the launch of Smart Green Schools and the removal of fees for fiber optic cable installations.
“Enugu is fast becoming a benchmark for how subnational governments can take bold steps to build thriving, inclusive, and tech-driven societies,” Tijani says.
The Minister says the federal government, through its Project 774 Connectivity initiative, will provide internet access in all 17 local government secretariats in Enugu. The initiative, backed by Galaxy Backbone (GBB) and Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), aims to expand broadband infrastructure across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Tijani also announced plans for a Digital Innovation Complex in Enugu, which will house a Tier III Data Centre, co-working spaces for entrepreneurs and startups, a tech incubation hub, and a digital skills training centre.
“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,” Tijani says.
Other planned initiatives include providing internet access to over 200 state-owned institutions, including newly launched Smart Green Schools, primary health centres, and the state secretariat.
The Minister says that the Federal Government is to establish an Artificial Intelligence Regional Centre at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and open the South East Zonal Office of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Enugu within two months.
He adds that 1,555,000 residents of Enugu will receive training in digital skills through NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All programme by 2027.
Mbah, who has positioned digital transformation as a key part of his administration’s economic strategy, says his government is working to transition Enugu into a $30 billion economy.
The Enugu State Governor says that Enugu is integrating its Command and Control Centre with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) to enhance emergency response through the national 112 emergency number.
Mbah also says the government is finalising a 25-year lease agreement with the NCC for a Digital Bridge Institute and Digital Industrial Park in Enugu, which will serve as a hub for academic research, digital training, and outsourcing services.
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