We have discussed over again the necessity of digital acceptance and transformation in the furtherance of socio-economic goals in Nigeria. The latest move to develop ICT parks across the country may finally be the step in the right direction we have all been waiting for.
ICT Parks are to be constructed in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria through the National Communications Commission (NCC) in a bid to promote the socio-economic transformation of the country.
This project is expected to encompass the construction and equipping of fully-functional Tier-4 Digital Industrial Complex (DIC) in each of these zones with four of the packs already underway in Abeokuta, Enugu, Maiduguri and Kano.
According to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Mr. Umar Danbatta the North Central and South geo-political zones will begin development soon.
Why ICT Parks?
The parks are locations with concentration of all ICT facilities which enables a concerted leap into the digital age by creating a dynamic environment in which local talent is incubated, cultivated, and shared.
ICT parks are best tested and trusted institutional mechanisms to address the needs of technology-intensive, knowledge-based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) globally.
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The upsides to the completion of this project which is expected to be commissioned starting at the end of the year are indisputable:
- The ICT parks are aimed at providing innovation labs and digital fabrication laboratories for use by ICT innovators and entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into products and prototypes, provide a Commercial Hub for ICT capacity building and digital
- Skills, create employment and entrepreneurial activities, facilitate smart city deployment across the Digital Industrial complex.
- Ultimately the design of these parks will support the federal government’s ICT–related policies by facilitating the availability and accessibility of ICT services across the country and promoting their usage across all sectors.
- It has the capacity to facilitate skill acquisition and innovation among Nigerian youths ultimately accelerating socio-economic transformation in the country.
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Globally, for at least two decades the need to significantly access information, communicate, collaborate, and improve socio-economic circumstances have been centred on digital and technological innovations.
Nigeria, without doubt, has been a testament to the benefits of digital transformation however slow the progress, with a growing number of individuals and communities adopting technology solutions in their daily lives in spite the absence of key infrastructure and lack of affordable services.