The Enugu Tech Festival (ETF), scheduled for May this year, has received a significant boost, with the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announcing plans to elevate the event to a national status.
Speaking during a working visit to Enugu State, the minister disclosed that he would personally attend the festival and ensure its expansion to attract tech professionals from across the country.
He said the Enugu Tech Festival would help to strengthen the ongoing collaboration between the state and the federal government in advancing technological innovation, digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurship in the southeast region.
He commended the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, praising his vision for fostering innovation and technological development
Enugu .
He lauded the governor’s achievements in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and industry, highlighting how the advancements lay the foundation for a vibrant digital economy that will empower the state’s youth.
The minister outlined a series of groundbreaking initiatives aimed at further transforming Enugu’s technological landscape.
One of the most significant announcements was the launch of the Project 774 Connectivity Initiative, a project designed to bring internet access to all 17 local government secretariats across the state. Powered by Galaxy Backbone and NIGCOMSAT, the initiative will ensure seamless connectivity for government offices and the public, facilitating efficient governance and service delivery.
In addition, the collaboration between Galaxy Backbone and Enugu State will lead to the establishment of a Digital Innovation Complex. This facility will serve as a hub for technological growth, offering digital innovation, training, and entrepreneurial support. It will also connect over 200 state-owned institutions, including schools, healthcare centers, and government offices, to reliable internet services, further enhancing the state’s digital infrastructure.
Addressing rural connectivity, Tijani announced the federal government’s plan to extend internet access to underserved areas in the state through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).
“This effort will include the installation of a new base station and the laying of 15 kilometers of fiber optic cable to provide high-speed internet. As part of this initiative, computer laboratories will be set up in one secondary school and one tertiary institution in Enugu,” he said.
He also announced plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regional Centre at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
“This center will become a focal point for AI research and development in the South East, offering state-of-the-art facilities to foster innovation in artificial intelligence”, he added, stressing that the new South East Zonal Office of NITDA in Enugu would serve as a digital learning and capacity-building center, enhancing digital literacy and preparing residents to participate in the global digital economy.
“As part of this initiative, we plan to train 100 cybersecurity professionals in Enugu, boosting the state’s cybersecurity capabilities as part of a nationwide effort. The Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, will train 1.155 million Enugu residents in essential digital skills by 2027. This program will prioritize underserved groups, including artisans, market women, civil servants, and students, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage with the digital economy,” he said.
The minister also expressed satisfaction with the success of the 3MTT Programme in Enugu, which has already received over 14,000 applications, adding that the program aims to empower the youth by equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital economy, with a goal of training over 150,000 fellows in the state.
Other key projects unveiled included the establishment of a Tier III Data Centre, a Co-working Space for tech entrepreneurs and SMEs, and an Incubation Hub to support innovation and provide mentorship and funding to tech startups.
Tijani emphasised the importance of the joint federal-state partnership in driving the success of these projects, adding that a special committee would be formed to oversee the implementation, ensuring that the collaboration between the two levels of government continues to yield tangible benefits for the people of Enugu and Nigeria at large.
In his response, the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, expressed his gratitude to the minister for his support and commitment to the development of Enugu’s technological landscape.
Ezeh also took the opportunity to praise Governor Mbah for his visionary leadership in driving tech governance and fostering a robust digital economy in the state. He emphasised that the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF) is one of the flagship projects championed by Governor Mbah, designed to empower the youth and create opportunities for the next generation in emerging technologies, particularly in robotics and other cutting-edge fields.
The commissioner reiterated that the Governor’s forward-thinking approach aims to position Enugu as a hub for innovation, setting the stage for the youth to lead the charge in the evolving digital economy.
