*Dr. 鈥橞osun Tijani, Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, expresses satisfaction with the successful completion of the first round of selections involving over 500 young Nigerians for interviews at the newly-commissioned Digital Industrial Park, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, stating the 鈥榯urnout was phenomenal… a joy to witness this level of passion for AI and the digital economy鈥�

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government of Nigeria has restated the country鈥檚 preparedness to activate and maximise the youths鈥� talent development, innovation, and digital skills for economic growth, and sustainability that will shape the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the African continent.

绿帽献妻 reports Dr. 鈥橞osun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), stated this Monday, July 21, 2025, following a successful completion of the first round of selections involving over 500 young Nigerians for in-person interviews conducted at the newly-established and commissioned Digital Industrial Park (DIP), located in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Dr. 鈥橞osun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (r) and Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of NCC

Dr. Tijani, in company with other top officials, including Governor (Prince) Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State Wednesday, June 4, 2025, inaugurated a state-of-the-art Digital Industrial Park, established by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in Abeokuta.

Tijani: 鈥楾he turnout was phenomenal鈥�

Commenting on the success of the selection exercise in Abeokuta, the Minister affirmed the Ministry had completed the first round of selections involving over 500 young Nigerians for in-person interviews at the DIP, in Abeokuta, Dr. Tijani stated: 鈥淭he turnout was phenomenal.

“It鈥檚 a joy to witness this level of passion for AI and the digital economy, right here in Ogun State.鈥�

He disclosed the country is poised to give the next generation of Nigerians 鈥渢he kind of exposure, tools, and support that can unlock global opportunities right from their own community.鈥�

Inside a section of the DIP, in Abeokuta

鈥淣igeria has the talent to shape the future of AI 鈥� and we鈥檙e laying the foundation here,鈥� the Minister averred.

Speaking on the successful exercise also, Adekunle Durosinmi, an IT Director, startup ecosystem developer and President of the Ogun Tech Community, wrote: 聽On behalf of the Ogun Tech Community 鈥� a collective of startups and innovators across Ogun State 鈥� we sincerely appreciate the development initiatives you are bringing to the state and its surrounding areas.鈥�

Durosinmi stated: 鈥淲e remain committed to contributing our best efforts towards building and sustaining a thriving technology ecosystem in Ogun State.鈥�

Core objectives of Digital Parks across geopolitical zones

It is noted that the modern digital facility, being established across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, was designed for robust economic growth and sustainability in the ecosystem.

The Federal Government said the newly-commissioned digital facility is part of ongoing efforts at making Nigeria 鈥渁 global leader in digital infrastructure, talent development and innovation鈥�.

Speaking at the project commissioning June 2025, in Abeokuta, Dr. Tijani, Minister for FMCIDE, had declared the Industrial Park project is significant for the country’s economic growth.

According to him, the new Park and similar DIP projects across Nigeria constitute a vital part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu鈥檚 Renewed Hope Agenda for the communications sector of the economy.

He equally said President Tinubu’s administration had placed 鈥渄igital innovation, youth empowerment, and inclusive economic growth鈥� at the heart of the country’s journey to a $1 trillion economy.

The Minister restated the FMCIDE鈥檚 commitment to making Nigeria a global leader in digital infrastructure, talent development and innovation.

Dr. Tijani said the DIPs would serve as a platform for youth empowerment, and place where skills meet opportunities in the digital ecosystem.

He further stated: 鈥淎 launchpad for innovation where ideas become ventures and ventures become industries.

“A catalyst for community transformation, especially for the adjoining neighbourhoods.”

Tijani averred: 鈥淭his can now evolve into one of Africa鈥檚 next great tech clusters.

“Abeokuta has everything it needs to compete, not just with Lagos, but with Kigali, Accra and Nairobi.

鈥淲hat we need now, is to unlock and connect the dots.”

Nigeria is well-committed to building the foundation fibre optics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) frameworks, tech talent pipelines and smart regulation, stated he.

According to him, such ongoing efforts are directed not just for Lagos or Abuja, but for every part of the country.

Tijani as well described Abeokuta as an ancient city rich in history, culture and resilience with a growing network of academic institutions and eager minds waiting to be nurtured.

Maida: DIP project is core component of NCC鈥檚 agenda for innovation

Likewise, at the inauguration ceremony and official handover of a new hi-tech digital Information and Communications Technology (ICT) park June, at the University of Ibadan (UI), in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, affirmed the Digital Industrial Park is a core component of the broader agenda of the Commission to foster innovation in the ecosystem.

Maida, represented on the occasion by Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services of NCC, averred the DIP project is one the six flagship digital infrastructure projects of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission, being strategically sited in select institutions to strengthen research capacity in Nigeria.

The EVC/CEO said the new facility would accelerate development of the emerging Nigeria Digital Economy.

鈥淚n today鈥檚 world, technology stands as one of the most powerful drivers of economic and social transformation.

“For Nigeria鈥檚 evolving economy, it represents our greatest opportunity for inclusive growth,鈥� noted he.

Maida said: 鈥淭he ICT Park concept is a manifestation of our vision to cultivate innovation and digital entrepreneurship, while supporting research and development that translates ideas into commercially viable, real-world solutions.

鈥淭his is why our ICT Parks鈥攁ptly named, ‘One Roof, All Possibilities’, are purpose-built as multidisciplinary innovation hubs.”

As regards the equipment installed in the DIP, the NCC Chief explained: 鈥淓ach park brings together cutting-edge infrastructure under one roof, including high-capacity computer laboratories, simulation rooms, intelligent networking systems, collaborative workspaces, and multipurpose halls.

鈥淭heir establishment aligns directly with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, as well as the Strategic Vision of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. 鈥橞osun Tijani.”

Kindly Share This Story