The Federal Government has unveiled plans to train more than 1.1 million residents of Enugu State in digital skills by 2027.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Governor Peter Mbah in Enugu on Thursday.
Tijani explained that the training will be implemented through the National Information Technology Development Agency’s (NITDA) Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative. The programme is part of a broader effort to enhance digital literacy across Nigeria, ensuring that citizens can effectively utilise digital tools.
“We are committed to training 1,155,000 residents of Enugu State in essential digital skills before 2027. Our focus will be on artisans, market women, civil servants, students, and other underserved groups,” he said.
The minister commended Governor Mbah for his investment in the digital economy, describing Enugu as a model for how state governments can drive inclusive technological development.
“Mbah’s accomplishments in infrastructure, education, and economic reforms are commendable. These initiatives reflect his dedication to equipping young people with the tools and opportunities needed to succeed in the digital economy,” Tijani noted.
He added that these efforts align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ministry’s strategic blueprint.
Highlighting the government’s digital economy agenda, Tijani stated that significant investments are being made in digital infrastructure to ensure a thriving digital ecosystem.
“We are developing frameworks to harness emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive productivity, innovation, and inclusive growth. We are also enhancing digital skills and literacy to enable more Nigerians, especially the youth, to compete effectively in the global digital workforce,” he said.
Tijani revealed that the ministry has already received over 14,000 applications from Enugu residents for the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, with 1,762 individuals already trained and plans in place to expand training to over 150,000 people in the state.
The minister also announced a partnership between the Federal Government and Enugu State through the 774 Connectivity Project. This initiative will provide internet access to all 17 local government secretariats in the state via Galaxy Backbone and NIGCOMSAT.
“Galaxy Backbone will collaborate with the state to establish a Digital Innovation Complex in Enugu. Additionally, 15 km of fibre optic cable will be laid to connect selected institutions, along with the provision of a computer laboratory for one secondary school and one tertiary institution in the state,” he said.
Tijani further reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to setting up an AI Regional Centre for the South-East at the African Regional Centre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
“Recognising the importance of cybersecurity, we will train 100 individuals in Enugu in high-demand cybersecurity and infrastructure defence skills under NITDA’s Cybersecurity Training Programme.
“We will also establish a joint committee with representatives from both the ministry and the Enugu State Government to oversee the implementation of these projects,” he added.
In response, Governor Mbah reiterated his administration’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to diversify Enugu’s economy and achieve a $30 billion economic target.
He outlined how his government is integrating technology in governance, particularly through the Command and Control Centre, which provides round-the-clock surveillance to enhance security in the state.
“We are in the final stages of integrating the Command and Control Centre with the National Communications Commission’s Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) to operationalise the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
“This integration will enable real-time emergency coordination via the national 112 emergency number, strengthening public safety and inter-agency collaboration,” Mbah stated.
He further disclosed that Enugu State is close to finalising a 25-year facility lease with the NCC for the Digital Bridge Institute and the Digital Industrial Park, reinforcing the state’s dedication to digital transformation.
