By Sale Lawal
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, on Tuesday, witnessed the signing of a landmark agreement with the Enugu State Government for the operational lease of the NCC Digital Industrial Park and NCC Learning Centre in Enugu.
Dr. Maida, who led members of the Commission’s Board and Management to the signing ceremony, described the partnership as a major step towards advancing Nigeria’s digital economy by expanding digital inclusion, fostering innovation, and equipping young Nigerians with future-ready skills.
While on a visit at the Enugu Smart School Initiative, Maida said the NCC would continue to support initiatives that expand digital opportunities, strengthen innovation, and develop the skilled workforce needed to drive Nigeria’s knowledge-based economy.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, automation is changing the nature of work, and digital technologies are transforming economies,” he said.
He stressed that investment in digital skills is just as critical as investment in digital infrastructure, noting that access to technology must be matched with the capacity to use it effectively and productively.
“Guided by this philosophy, today we formalised a partnership with the Enugu State Government to operationally lease the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Digital Industrial Park and NCC Learning Centre in Enugu,” Maida stated.
According to him, the facilities were conceived as platforms for innovation, entrepreneurship, and human capital development. They are expected to deepen digital skills, support startups, attract investment, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a competitive destination for business process outsourcing (BPO), knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), and other technology-enabled services.
He emphasized that infrastructure alone does not drive innovation.
“Buildings alone do not create innovation. People do. Ideas do. Entrepreneurs do.
“Partnerships bring all these elements together for the benefit of all,” he said.
Maida expressed confidence that the activation of the facilities by the Enugu State Government would empower young people with 21st-century digital skills, provide entrepreneurs with the platform to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses, and connect local enterprises to opportunities within Nigeria and across global markets.
He said the partnership advances Nigeria’s digital economy objectives and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to build a one-trillion-dollar economy driven by productivity, innovation, and private sector-led growth.
The NCC boss reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working with the Enugu State Government and other stakeholders to expand digital inclusion, strengthen human capital development, and ensure that no community is left behind in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. (GSF)