NCC hands over FG’s Digital Industrial Park, Digital Bridge Institute to Enugu Govt to boost digital economy

…..As Gov Mbah unveils vision for AI institute, Talent city,targets 20 trillion dollars by 2030

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Tuesday , August 4,2026, handed over two major federal digital infrastructure assets, the Digital Industrial Park and the Digital Bridge Institute to Enugu state Government under a -15 -year lease, a partnership aimed at accelerating digital transformation in the state.

Speaking shortly after receiving the Memorandum Of Understanding of the signed agreement during the official hand over held at the Government House,Enugu, the state Governor, Dr Peter Mbah said the facilities would be transformed into an Artificial Intelligence Institute and a Talent City to drive innovation, create jobs and position the state as Nigeria’s leading digital economy hub.

He described the event as a historic milestone, saying the assets would deepen innovation, unlock economic opportunities and prepare young people for the rapidly evolving global digital economy.

Pix- Signing of the MoU between NCC and Enugu state government on Tuesday, August 4,2026 at Govt house,Enugu..

Governor Mbah added that the handover aligned perfectly with his administration’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven economy powered by innovation, technology and skilled human capital.

According to him, the Digital Industrial Park would be transformed into the Enugu Talent City, providing business process outsourcing (BPO) and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) services that would enable talented youths to work for global companies without leaving the state.

He also disclosed that the Digital Bridge Institute would be upgraded into a world-class Artificial Intelligence Institute and certification centre for AI on the African continent.
“We see these assets as assets that will deepen innovation in our state, unlock opportunities, create employment and position Enugu as a leading digital economy in this country,” Mbah said.

Pix- Governor Peter Mbah on Tuesday , August 4Th,2026 said artificial intelligence was projected to contribute about 20 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2030

The governor noted that artificial intelligence was projected to contribute about 20 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2030, stressing that Nigeria’s youths must not be left behind in the unfolding technological revolution.
“The world our young ones are entering is completely different from the world we knew. That is why we are aggressively investing in education and digital learning to equip them with 21st-century skills,” he stated.

Mbah added that the digital facilities would complement his administration’s investment in education, revealing that the state had expanded its Smart Green Schools programme to all 268 political wards, with each school equipped with robotics, artificial intelligence laboratories, mechatronics and 3D printing facilities.

He disclosed that the facilities were designed to expose children to future-ready skills from an early age.
Rather than relying on traditional methods of memorisation, the governor said the state was deliberately creating learning environments that encourage creativity, innovation, experimentation and problem-solving.
“We want our classrooms to become creativity hubs where children develop solutions to real-life challenges instead of merely memorising lessons,” he added.

He explained that the goal was to shift pupils from memorisation to experiential learning and problem-solving.
“We want our classrooms to become creativity hubs where children develop solutions to real-life challenges instead of merely memorising lessons,” he said.

The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his foresight in recognizing that digital economy is indispensable.

In his speech, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the partnership reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that digital transformation translated into tangible opportunities for Nigerians.

Pix- Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the partnership reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that digital transformation

He reaffirmed the commission’s resolve to support initiatives that expand digital access, strengthen human capital and ensure that no community was left behind
“The Nigerian Communications Commission remains committed to supporting initiatives that expand opportunities, strengthen human capital and ensure that no community is left behind. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the opportunities of tomorrow are accessible to everyone,” he said.

Maida expressed confidence that Enugu State would maximise the enormous potential of the facilities to produce digital talent capable of competing globally.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission remains committed to supporting initiatives that expand opportunities, strengthen human capital and ensure that no community is left behind.

“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the opportunities of tomorrow are accessible to everyone,” he said.
He described the partnership with Enugu State as a practical demonstration of collaborative governance aimed at accelerating innovation, digital inclusion and sustainable economic growth.

Pix- Special Adviser to the Governor on SMEs and Digital Economy, Arinze Chilo-Offia on Tuesday, August 4,2026 described the handover as a significant milestone in Enugu state government ‘s partnership with the NCC.

Earlier in a welcome address delivered on behalf of the state government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on SMEs and Digital Economy, Arinze Chilo-Offia described the handover as a significant milestone in Enugu state government ‘s partnership with the NCC.
He announced that the Digital Industrial Park would evolve into the Enugu Talent City, a knowledge-based outsourcing centre powered by the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) Hub, while the Digital Bridge Institute would become the Enugu AI Institute, dedicated to producing world-class talent in artificial intelligence, innovation and advanced digital skills

Pix- SPA Chilo-Offia

Chilo- Offia expressed appreciation to the leadership of the NCC for entrusting Enugu with the facilities, describing the collaboration as a major boost to the state’s ambition of becoming Nigeria’s premier destination for digital innovation, technology-driven investment and high-value employment.

Ugwuegede(L) Princess Emiko( R)

In an interview with Newsmen, a Non- Executive Commissioner, Ikechukwu Ugwuegede expressed confidence that Enugu state government will utilise the facilities and develop the digital space to boost digital economy. He said the facilities were located on the Express to Ugwogo and the other one on the Express at GRA and they are of University size. He commended Enugu state government for taking a bold step to develop digital assets.

On her part, the Interim Chairman , Governing Board, Digital Bridge Institute Princess Nere Emiko said they were excited about the partnership and the proposed AI Institute , adding that AI is very important and can yield 20 Trillion Dollars by 2030..

Speaking on the duration of the partnership, she said Fifteen years of a good partnership will continue. The interim chairman noted that partnership is free and it’s undergoing transformation, adding that if the state decides to have them come back after the fifteen years , it will happen.

The event drew senior officials of the Nigerian Communications Commission, some members of the Enugu State Executive Council and key players in Nigeria’s digital economy ecosystem.

With the lease of the two strategic facilities and the unveiling of plans for the Enugu AI Institute and Enugu Talent City, Enugu state no doubt, has taken another significant step towards realising Governor Mbah’s vision of building a technology-driven economy capable of attracting investment, retaining talent and creating globally competitive digital jobs.