The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has handed over the Digital Industrial Park and the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to the Enugu State Government. This is part of a 15-year operational lease agreement.
The official transfer happened at the Government House in Enugu during a ceremony on Tuesday.
Aminu Maida, the NCC chief executive officer, spoke at the signing of the agreement. He said these facilities are among six digital industrial parks set up across Nigeria to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development.
He explained that these facilities are meant to improve digital skills, support startups, attract investments and create jobs.
Mr Maida added that this move would help position Nigeria as a place where Business Process Outsourcing, Knowledge Process Outsourcing and other technology-driven services can thrive.
He said the infrastructure was built not just as physical assets but as platforms to develop people and businesses that will drive Nigeria’s digital economy.
Mr Maida emphasized that infrastructure only brings value when it is used well. He noted that innovation comes from people, ideas and entrepreneurs working together.
“The success of these facilities will not be measured by the quality of the buildings or equipment, but by the skills acquired, ideas developed, businesses created and jobs generated,” he said.
He expressed trust that the Enugu State Government would make the best use of the facilities by investing in education, innovation, infrastructure and digital capacity.
Mr Maida mentioned that this partnership would help Enugu become a top destination for digital services, Artificial Intelligence (AI), startup incubation, outsourcing, research and technology-driven businesses.
He also said this collaboration supports the federal government’s digital economy agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This agenda aims to build a $1 trillion economy driven by productivity, innovation and private sector growth.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s digital future needs cooperation between the federal and state governments, the private sector, universities and development partners.
Responding, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State called the handover a historic moment. He said it would help position the state as Nigeria’s leading digital economy hub through smart investments in artificial intelligence, digital innovation and talent development.
He revealed that the Digital Industrial Park would be transformed into the Enugu Talent City. This will be a place where young people can provide Business Process Outsourcing and Knowledge Process Outsourcing services without leaving Enugu.
Mr Mbah also shared plans to upgrade the Digital Bridge Institute into an AI Institute and an AI certification centre for the African continent.
“We see these assets as facilities that will deepen innovation in our state, unlock opportunities, create employment and position Enugu as a leading digital economy in this country,” he said.
He highlighted that artificial intelligence is expected to add about $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030. He stressed the need to equip Nigerian youths with digital skills to compete worldwide.
Earlier, Arinze Chilo-Offia, the Special Adviser to Mr Mbah on SMEs and Digital Economy, said the handover would strengthen the partnership between the Enugu State Government and the NCC.
Mr Chilo-Offia thanked the NCC for trusting the state with these facilities. He described this collaboration as a significant step for Enugu to become Nigeria’s top spot for digital innovation, tech investments and high-value jobs.
Ikechukwu Ugwuegede, a Non-Executive Commissioner of the NCC, also expressed confidence in the Enugu State Government’s ability to make good use of the facilities for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He mentioned that both facilities are large like universities and are well-placed along the Enugu-Ugwogo Expressway and the GRA Expressway.
Mr Offiah said these facilities would become key centres for innovation, digital skills development and economic growth in the state.
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