Digital Future: FG Inaugurates State-of-the-Art NCC Digital Innovation Park for SouthWest in Abeokuta 

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

As part of efforts towards building Nigeria’s relevance in Africa’s next great tech clusters, the Tinubu-led Federal Government has inaugurated the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Innovation Park in Ogun.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the NCC Digital Innovation Park which was inaugurated along the kobape axis of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital on Wednesday marks the first of its kind to be built in the entire SouthWestern part of the country.

OTN News further reports that during his speech at the inauguration, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani noted that the innovation park mattered so deeply for economic growth.

He noted that the park was a vital part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda, which placed digital innovation, youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth at the heart of Nigeria’s journey to a one trillion-dollar economy.

He further explained that the ministry had set out to make Nigeria a global leader in digital infrastructure, talent development, and innovation.

According to the Minister, the park would serve as a platform for youth empowerment and a place where skills meet opportunity.

In his words, he described the park as, "As launchpad for innovation where ideas become ventures and ventures become industries. A catalyst for community transformation, especially for the adjoining neighbourhoods.

“This can now evolve into one of Africa’s next great tech clusters. Abeokuta has everything it needs to compete, not just with Lagos, but with Kigali, Accra and Nairobi" adding that, “What we need now, is to unlock and connect the dots."

The youthful Minister maintained that the nation was building the foundation fibre optics, AI frameworks, tech talent pipelines, and smart regulation, not just for Lagos or Abuja, but for every part of the country.

Commenting on the rationale behind the location of the park in Abeokuta, the Minister emphasized that Abeokuta is a city rich in history, culture and resilience with a growing network of academic institutions and eager minds waiting to be nurtured.

The Minister commended Gov. Dapo Abiodun for investing wisely in roads, tourism, infrastructure, and digital future.

In his own remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, noted that the project marked progress in the delivery of a tangible achievement of President Tinubu’s administration.

He said that the park would serve as a vital component of the broader agenda to accelerate Information Communication Technology (ICT) innovation, strengthen research capabilities, and drive the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

His words, “Technology today is one of the most powerful drivers of economic transformation. For an emerging economy like ours, it remains one of our greatest hopes for leapfrogging development.This is why we must create the right environment for it to thrive.

“The concept behind the Digital Industrial Park is rooted in our vision to promote innovation and digital entrepreneurship in the ICT sector and to support research and development.

He also added that, “In addition to what we have here in Abeokuta, the commission is currently implementing three other Digital Industrial Parks (DIP) in Kano, Borno and Enugu States.

He revealed that "These parks are equipped with computer labs, smart networking systems, collaborative workspaces and multipurpose halls.

“They have been designed to include hands-on practice laboratories for training and skills development."

Also speaking at the inauguration, Ogun State Governor, who was visibly excited to take custody of the park, Prince Dapo Abiodun said, the event marked another significant milestone in the journey of the state toward becoming a leading hub for technology, innovation and digital transformation in Nigeria.

Governor Abiodun said," We witness the dawn of a new era in Ogun State, one where our youth, innovators, and entrepreneurs will be nurtured and have access to cutting-edge resources capable of transforming their ideas into impactful realities".

Earlier, the Minister had launched Agricconnect Ogun, saying the nation is blessed to feed herself through technology.