The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has formally transferred the Digital Industrial Park and the Digital Bridge Institute to the Enugu State Government under a 15-year operational lease agreement to accelerate digital innovation and economic development.

The handover of the two digital assets took place on Tuesday during a ceremony at the Government House in Enugu.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement, the Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the facilities are among six Digital Industrial Parks established across Nigeria to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development.

Maida explained that the facilities were created to strengthen digital skills, support startup businesses, attract investments and generate employment opportunities across the technology sector.

He added that the infrastructure would also help position Nigeria as a competitive destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) and other technology-enabled services.

According to Maida, the facilities were developed not simply as physical infrastructure but as platforms for nurturing the people and enterprises expected to drive Nigeria’s digital economy.

He stressed that infrastructure delivers meaningful impact only when effectively utilised, noting that innovation is ultimately powered by 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.

Maida expressed confidence that the Enugu State Government has demonstrated the vision and commitment required to maximise the value of the facilities through continued investment in education, innovation, infrastructure and digital capacity.

The NCC chief said the partnership would support Enugu’s ambition of becoming a leading destination for digital services, artificial intelligence, startup incubation, outsourcing, research and technology-enabled enterprises.

He added that the collaboration aligns with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to build a $1 trillion economy driven by productivity, innovation, and private-sector growth.

Governor Peter Mbah described the transfer as a historic milestone that would strengthen Enugu’s position as Nigeria’s leading digital economy hub through strategic investments in artificial intelligence, digital innovation and talent development.

The governor announced that the Digital Industrial Park would be transformed into Enugu Talent City, a knowledge-driven outsourcing hub designed to provide Business Process Outsourcing and Knowledge Process Outsourcing services.

According to Mbah, the initiative will enable talented young people in the state to deliver services to global companies without relocating from Enugu.

He also revealed that the Digital Bridge Institute would be upgraded into a world-class AI Institute and an AI certification centre serving the African continent.

Mbah further noted that artificial intelligence is projected to contribute about $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030, underscoring the importance of equipping Nigerian youths with digital skills needed to compete in the global marketplace.

Source: Peoples Gazette