NCC hands over digital Industrial Park, Digital Bridge Institute to Enugu to drive AI, innovation

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has formally transferred the Digital Industrial Park and the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to the Enugu State Government under a 15-year operational lease agreement aimed at accelerating digital innovation, skills development and technology-driven economic growth.

The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Government House in Enugu, marking what both the Federal Government and the state described as a significant step towards transforming Enugu into a leading digital economy hub.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the facilities form part of six Digital Industrial Parks established nationwide to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development.

Maida explained that the centres were designed to strengthen digital skills, nurture startups, attract investments and create employment opportunities while positioning Nigeria as a competitive destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) and other technology-enabled services.

He noted that the infrastructure was conceived not merely as physical assets but as platforms for developing entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses capable of driving Nigeria’s digital economy.

“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,” Maida said.

He expressed confidence that the Enugu State Government possesses the vision and commitment required to maximise the facilities through sustained investments in education, innovation, digital infrastructure and technology capacity.

According to him, the partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to build a $1 trillion economy powered by innovation, productivity and private sector-led growth.

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Maida added that collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, academia, the private sector and development partners would be critical to achieving Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.

Responding, Peter Mbah described the handover as a historic milestone that would accelerate Enugu’s emergence as Nigeria’s leading digital economy destination.

The governor announced plans to convert the Digital Industrial Park into the Enugu Talent City, a knowledge-based outsourcing hub that will provide Business Process Outsourcing and Knowledge Process Outsourcing services for global companies.

He said the initiative would enable young professionals in Enugu to deliver digital services to international clients without relocating outside the state.

Mbah also disclosed that the Digital Bridge Institute would be upgraded into a world-class Artificial Intelligence Institute and AI certification centre serving Nigeria and the wider 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,” the governor said.

He noted that artificial intelligence is projected to contribute about $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030, stressing the importance of equipping Nigerian youths with globally competitive digital skills.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on SMEs and Digital Economy, Mr. Arinze Chilo-Offia, described the handover as another milestone in the growing partnership between the Enugu State Government and the NCC.

He commended the commission for entrusting the facilities to the state, saying the collaboration would strengthen Enugu’s ambition to become Nigeria’s preferred destination for digital innovation, technology-driven investment and high-value employment.

Also speaking, NCC Non-Executive Commissioner, Mr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede, expressed confidence in the state government’s ability to maximise the facilities to advance Nigeria’s digital economy.

He noted that the two university-sized facilities are strategically located along the Enugu-Ugwogo Expressway and the GRA Expressway, adding that they are expected to serve as major centres for innovation, digital skills development and technology-driven economic growth in the state.