NITDA Empowers 50 Enugu Youths, Lauds Gov Mbah’s Support for Zonal Office
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NITDA Empowers 50 Enugu Youths, Lauds Gov Mbah’s Support for Zonal Office
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has empowered 50 young innovators in Enugu State with digital tools in a move aimed at deepening digital inclusion and accelerating the transition to a knowledge-based economy.
The agency also lauded the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for what it described as his pivotal support for the establishment and rapid growth of its South-East Zonal Office, now ranked among NITDA’s top-performing offices across the country.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, who was represented by the Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo, gave the commendation during a digital innovation event held in the state.
Inuwa said the Governor’s commitment was instrumental to the successful launch and operational performance of the zonal office.
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He noted that Enugu, historically known as Nigeria’s coal city, was undergoing a transformation from reliance on natural resources to a knowledge-driven economy powered by digital innovation.
“Enugu was once an energy capital powering industries from beneath the earth. Today, the energy driving Enugu is the creativity, talent, and determination of its young people,” he said.
The NITDA boss stressed that digital technology had become a key driver of global economic growth, citing projections that the digital economy could contribute up to $23tn to global Gross Domestic Product in the coming years.
He said investment in digital skills development would determine Nigeria’s future prosperity, adding that the country must shift from consuming technology to creating it.
“Nigeria must not only consume technology but create it. Innovation must become our currency, and digital skills must become the bridge to opportunity,” Inuwa stated.
According to him, the initiative aligns with NITDA’s target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy among Nigerians by 2027 as part of its broader strategy to reposition the country’s economy around knowledge, entrepreneurship and technology-driven innovation.
Findings showed that over 900 youths registered on NITDA’s digital training platform, out of which 50 outstanding participants received digital tools to enhance their innovation capacity.
Also, 250 participants were recognised for their commitment and performance throughout the training programme.
Speaking at the event, Governor Mbah described the festival as more than a technology conference, saying it was “a reinforcement of intent” and a validation of Enugu’s ambition to become a credible hub within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
He drew a comparison between Enugu’s historic coal industry and its emerging digital future, noting that although coal once powered industries across Europe and West Africa, the economic benefits largely left the state.
Mbah said the state’s greatest asset today was its people, particularly their creativity and innovative potential.
He added that through sustained investment in technology, education and digital infrastructure, the state government was positioning Enugu to generate value locally and produce globally competitive solutions.
Referencing global technology giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Tesla, the governor said control of digital infrastructure had become central to economic power in the 21st century.
“Find what is broken, understand it deeply, and fix it properly,” he advised participants, stressing that innovation was about solving real-life challenges.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Prince Lawrence Ezeh, said the state had recorded significant milestones since the inaugural edition of the festival.
He stated that thousands of youths had benefited from digital skills initiatives, while strategic partnerships, including what he described as Nigeria’s largest tech hub initiative, had been launched.
Ezeh added that technology clusters in blockchain and gaming were expanding, positioning Enugu as an emerging tech hub.
He said ongoing reforms were embedding technology across governance and public service delivery, including real-time security systems, smart green schools and digitised public service platforms.
Dignitaries at the event included Anna Vesterholm, Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, and Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, among other industry leaders and technology stakeholders.
