The Enugu State government has expressed its commitment to collaborating with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in a landmark initiative aimed at equipping the state's youth with essential digital skills and information and communication technology (ICT) expertise. This initiative, spearheaded by Governor Dr. Peter Mbah, aims to empower youth, boost economic growth, and create employment opportunities.
In a recent meeting at the Government House in Enugu, Governor Mbah welcomed a delegation from NITDA, led by its Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Zonal Offices, Babajide Ajayi. During the meeting, Governor Mbah highlighted the importance of preparing the youth for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, mechatronics, virtual reality, augmented reality, robotics, and fintech.
Governor Mbah expressed his appreciation for Enugu's selection as the site for NITDA's South East Zonal Office and emphasized his government's commitment to collaborating with NITDA to train and upskill a minimum of 40,000 youths annually. This partnership aims to enable young people in the state to participate actively in the digital economy.
Furthermore, Governor Mbah outlined plans to equip Enugu's youth with fintech and cyber security skills, positioning them to engage in e-commerce on a global scale. He stressed that technology would not only drive the state's economy but also play a pivotal role in achieving the administration's ambitious goal of growing the economy seven-fold from $4.4 billion to $30 billion while eradicating poverty.
Governor Mbah cited the state's ongoing digitization efforts, including streamlined land administration, where individuals can obtain certificates of occupancy within record time, as evidence of Enugu's commitment to technological advancement.
In response, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi commended Governor Mbah's vision for the state and expressed NITDA's desire to collaborate closely with Enugu State to drive digital economy initiatives. He emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders and the local ecosystem to achieve these goals.
Notably, NITDA has received approval to establish its South East Zonal headquarters in Enugu, a move seen as a significant milestone in the partnership between the state and the agency.
Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy at NITDA, praised Governor Mbah's dedication to technology-driven development and highlighted the agency's goal of developing one million talents to empower youth and deter them from engaging in criminal activities through the digital economy.
This collaboration between the Enugu State government and NITDA signifies a significant step toward equipping the youth with vital digital skills, fostering economic growth, and reducing poverty through technology-driven initiatives.
