*Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, describes the state-of-the-art digital facility as a ‘landmark project, national asset and strategic hub’ for the development of ICT skills in the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, commissioned the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) newly-rehabilitated North-West Digital Industrial Park (DIP), established in Kano, Kano State.

It is recalled that protesting youths and hoodlums, during the nationwide End-Bad-Governance protests August 2024, had invaded and vandalised the prime national asset and strategic hub for the development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills established for the geopolitical zone.

绿帽献妻 reports President Tinubu was represented at the digital project commissioning ceremony by Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE).

The NCC North-West Digital Industrial Park located in Kano is part of a nationwide initiative to bridge the digital divide, stimulate job creation, and transform Nigeria into a competitive digital economy.

Equipped with Broadband Internet, stable power supply, and tech-driven workspaces, the digital facility is expected to catalyse digital innovation and economic inclusion, particularly in underserved regions of the West African country.

In his address on the occasion, Dr. Tijani expressed the need for the youths in Kano State, and the entire country to take to the opportunities presented by such digital tools and facilities to tap from the various opportunities across the globe world.

The Minister also said: 鈥淭his landmark project provided by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, under his Renewed Hope Agenda can serve as a difference between poverty and success in the life of youths who properly utilise the opportunity.鈥�

He, however, lamented the vandalisation of the Digital Industrial Park during the August 1, 2024, protests after all the preparations put in place for commissioning of the hub at the time.

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of NCC, delivering his address at the event in Kano

Tijani yet restated the Federal Government鈥檚 commitment to the digital project, and ensuring it is put in place.

According to him, this is because there are several Nigerians to benefit from facility in Kano alone.

These are 180,000 people, equivalent to 10 percent of the total applicants from all over Nigeria, the Minister stated.

Minister: Recalling my painful experience of vandalised Park in 2024

Tijani noted his disconcerting experience last year, as he recalled that 鈥渁 week before the date of the commissioning, the unfortunate protest happened, and this edifice was completely destroyed.

鈥淵ou can imagine how painful that experience was for me seeing this building completed in January, the excitement I had, hoping that this centre would be a centre where many young people would get breakthroughs in life, only to realise in the news that it was totally destroyed.鈥�

The Minister described the incident as painful, seeing that the destruction of the place was perpetrated by young people.

He, however, did not allow the agony and the anger of the destruction to deter him, he stated.

Tijani said: 鈥淚 immediately looked around and reached out to companies because I didn鈥檛 want bureaucracy to keep this location from being commissioned again.”

Objectives of Digital Park projects, by Tijani

Highlighting the core mission of the digital innovation programme, Dr. Tijani said the DIP is meant to create three million technical talents among Nigerians on digital skills with the potential to have access to the world and develop.

As regards the demographics of the growing population of youths particularly in Kano State, he stated that young persons aged between 20 and 25 years make 65 percent of the total population of the Northern state.

The Minister averred the young population need access to global opportunities to add value to Nigeria and humanity at large.

He, therefore, urged the youths, parents, guardians, and others to protect the Digital Industrial Park, which he compared to an edifice which goods can be reaped from it in the future.

The Minister further stated: 鈥淵ou live at a time when the world is connected, knowledge is available to you wherever you find yourself, for as long as you have an opportunity and access to the centre.

“I have seen many young people in my life that have moved from nothing to become something with such opportunity.”

In his remarks at the ceremony, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, represented by Deputy Governor (Comrade) Abdulsalam Gwarzo, said the Kano State Government would ensure that 300,000 youths are trained in digital skills by the year 2027.

Governor Yusuf also disclosed the state had since engaged in digitalisation through the training of 5,000 government workers in digital skills.

He applauded the Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for his dedication to ensuring that the ICT skills centre remains in Kano.

The governor equally pledged the state government would give maximum contribution to the success of the digital project.

The highpoint of the commissioning ceremony in Kano was the conferment of traditional title of 鈥淪arkin Yakin Digitalisation of Kano鈥� on Dr. Tijani, who was presented with the traditional sword and hat.

DIP Kano will support youths’ digital talent development – Maida

Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, in his earlier address at the event, explained the Digital Industrial Park projects are in line with the national digital economy and strategy.

Maida said: 鈥淲e are confident that this digital park will serve as fuel to serve the industrial people of Kano State, especially the youths and support their pursuit of digital talent and development,鈥� he added.

The EVC/CEO of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission as well noted that the park would act as a launchpad for digital entrepreneurship.

The facility, he stated, will support the transformation of innovative ideas into viable products and services.

As the park is now fully operational, and open to Nigerians in the geopolitical zone, it promises to become a cornerstone of youth empowerment, innovation, and sustainable development in the North-West geopolitical zone of the country.

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