Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has pledged to position the state as a global leader in digital technology, ensuring it stands at the forefront of the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The Governor made this statement on Thursday at the Government House in Enugu, while receiving Nigeria’s Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani who was in the State for a working visit.
Governor Mbah’s commitment is underpinned by a vision to build a new generation of tech-savvy individuals who will compete on the global stage. “Our aim is to build a generation of techies who will not only participate but lead in the global digital economy,” Governor Mbah said, reinforcing his administration’s resolve to leverage technology as a driver for economic growth and development.
The Governor’s remarks were centered around several innovative initiatives that his administration is rolling out to make Enugu a key player in the digital sector. Notably, Mbah highlighted the construction of 288 Smart Schools across the state, which will be equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies. These schools are aimed at providing children with the necessary skills to navigate the tech-driven world of tomorrow.
“We are building schools that will not just teach, but will equip our children with AI and robotics, ensuring that they are prepared for the future,” Mbah declared. “Our Digital Health Centres, which are also being established across the state, will set a new benchmark for healthcare delivery, powered by cutting-edge technology.”
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to harnessing the full potential of the digital economy. He emphasized that Enugu’s technological advancements are crucial for diversifying the state’s revenue streams and boosting its economic growth towards a $30 billion economy.
Beyond the Smart Green Schools, which aim to impart knowledge and skills to prepare young people for future job markets, Governor Mbah also spoke about the state’s ongoing transition to an e-governance platform. This centralized system, he explained, is improving efficiency and transparency in governance while enabling workflow automation and inter-agency integration.
“Our embrace of innovation is equally evident in our Command and Control Centre, where we have deployed technology to enhance security and monitor our streets and neighborhoods round-the-clock,” Mbah said. “We are also working on integrating this Centre with the NCC Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) to enhance public safety through the Rapid Response Squad.”
Furthermore, Governor Mbah revealed that his administration is in the final stages of finalizing a 25-year lease agreement with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the Digital Bridge Institute and Digital Industrial Park, which will be transformed into an Academic and Innovation Hub, Outsourcing Facility, and Digital Training Centre.
The Governor underscored his administration’s readiness to continue partnering with the federal government to advance these projects, adding that such collaboration would build on the achievements already made in the past 22 months.
Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani commended the Governor for his visionary leadership, noting that Enugu is rapidly becoming a benchmark for tech-driven development. He praised the state’s swift transition into a digital economy, which he described as a model for other states in Nigeria.
“Enugu is fast becoming a standard for how subnational governments can take bold steps to build thriving, inclusive, and tech-driven societies,” Dr. Tijani remarked. “Governor Mbah’s focus on infrastructure, education, and economic reforms is commendable. The Smart Green Schools and the waiving of Right of Way fees for fiber networks are strong examples of his commitment to transforming Enugu into a digital economy powerhouse.”
Dr. Tijani also mentioned the federal government’s eagerness to collaborate further with the state, emphasizing several initiatives aimed at advancing Enugu’s digital economy. One such initiative is the Project 774 Connectivity, which will provide internet access to all 17 local government secretariats in Enugu through a partnership with Galaxy Backbone (GBB) and Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT).
He further revealed that Galaxy Backbone will collaborate with the state to establish a Digital Innovation Complex in Enugu, which will feature a Tier Three Data Centre, co-working spaces for entrepreneurs, and training centers for digital skills and workforce development.
The Minister also outlined the federal government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity across the state, stating that over 200 state-owned institutions, including Smart Green Schools and Primary Health Centres, would be provided with internet access.
In addition to infrastructure investments, Dr. Tijani announced that the Ministry would establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regional Centre at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, further cementing Enugu’s position as a hub for digital innovation. The Ministry will also launch a South East Zonal Office of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Enugu in the next two months, and train 100 people in the state on cybersecurity and infrastructure defense.
“The Federal Government is committed to providing the necessary tools and resources to support the growth of Enugu’s digital economy,” Dr. Tijani concluded. “Through initiatives like the Digital Literacy for All program, we aim to train 1,555,000 residents of Enugu in essential digital skills by 2027.”
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