Enugu State has taken over operational control of the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre under a 15-year lease, with the facilities expected to support digital skills, entrepreneurship and technology-enabled businesses.

The handover took place in Enugu on 7 August, according to the NCC, but the announcement also raises questions about how the facility will be managed, funded and measured over the next 15 years.

The NCC said the agreement covers the NCC Digital Industrial Park and NCC Learning Centre in Enugu.

Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said the facilities were intended to provide training, support startups and create opportunities in the digital economy.

But the latest agreement is shorter than a 25-year lease publicly announced by Enugu State in March 2025.

At the time, Governor Peter Mbah said the state was in the final stages of signing a 25-year lease with the NCC for the Digital Bridge Institute and Digital Industrial Park.

Why the park matters

The facility is part of a wider attempt by Nigeria’s federal and state governments to build infrastructure around digital skills, innovation and technology businesses.

Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy targets digital literacy and a stronger digital ecosystem, while NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All programme aims to raise national digital literacy to 70% by 2027 and 95% by 2030.

The federal government’s 3 Million Technical Talent programme is also designed to develop a technical workforce capable of supporting the digital economy. In 2025, the government said more than 90,000 Nigerians had been trained through two cohorts supported by MTN and partner organisations.

That means the Enugu facility is not operating in isolation. Its success will depend on whether it complements existing skills programmes rather than becoming another underused government building.

Maida said the NCC was pleased to transfer the facilities to a state government that had demonstrated what he described as the commitment needed to put them to productive use.

“These facilities were conceived as platforms for innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development. They were designed to deepen digital skills, support startups, attract investment, create jobs and position Nigeria as a competitive destination for business process outsourcing, knowledge process outsourcing and other technology-enabled services.”

He added:

“Buildings alone do not create innovation. People do. Ideas do. Entrepreneurs do. And partnerships bring all these elements together.”

In 2020, the Enugu State Government allocated land at the green triangle of Murtala Mohammed Park in Enugu North for the construction of the facility. In 2021, the state government said construction was being disrupted by alleged attempts to sabotage the project.

The project’s long gestation makes the latest handover significant. It also makes delivery and accountability more important.

Enugu’s 2025 approved budget included ₦500m for the rehabilitation and operationalisation of the NCC Digital Industrial Park, as well as ₦1bn for the rehabilitation and operationalisation of the NCC Digital Bridge Institute. The budget also provided for digital skills, startup and innovation programmes.

Those allocations show that the state had already attached public funds to its wider digital-economy plans.

What will users get?

The NCC says the facilities should provide spaces where young people can acquire digital skills, entrepreneurs can develop businesses and local enterprises can connect to markets beyond Enugu and Nigeria.

Maida said:

“Our expectation is that this partnership will support Enugu’s ambition to become a leading destination for digital services, artificial intelligence, startup incubation, outsourcing, research and technology-enabled enterprise.”

He said the intervention was not simply about buildings.

According to him, its value would ultimately be determined by whether it produces improvements in skills, ideas, businesses and employment.

The NCC chief executive said:

“No investment delivers more enduring returns than investment in people.”

He also said:

“No single institution can build Nigeria’s digital future alone. The Federal Government, state governments, the private sector, academia and development partners all have complementary roles to play.”

Enugu already has a wider digital agenda

The handover comes as Governor Mbah’s administration expands its technology and education programmes.

In March 2025, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy announced several proposed initiatives for Enugu, including connectivity for local government secretariats, a digital innovation complex and plans to train residents in digital skills.

The state has also been pursuing its Smart Green Schools programme.

In July 2026, Enugu approved the recruitment of more than 6,500 people for teaching, technical and administrative positions connected to its public schools, with ICT competence included among the requirements for applicants.

Maida referred to the recruitment drive in his remarks, saying the state’s investment in people was central to sustainable development.

He said physical infrastructure, including broadband networks and technology platforms, would only become productive when people had the skills to use it.

Maida said the NCC’s decision to transfer the facilities was influenced by what he described as Enugu’s investments in education, infrastructure, innovation and digital capacity.

He linked the project to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the government’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy driven by productivity, innovation and private-sector growth.

The NCC said the partnership would expand digital opportunities and strengthen human capital.

Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator has appealed to students across the country to help safeguard telecommunications infrastructure, warning that vandalism and theft are disrupting digital services, education and economic activities.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) made the appeal during a meeting with the newly elected leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at its headquarters in Abuja.

Why it matters

Telecommunications infrastructure supports internet access, mobile communications, online banking, digital learning and government services.

When fibre optic cables are cut or telecom equipment is stolen or vandalised, millions of Nigerians can experience network outages, affecting businesses, emergency communications, schools and public services.

The NCC says protecting these facilities has become increasingly important as Nigeria expands its digital economy and relies more heavily on technology for education and commerce.

NCC seeks students’ support

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, congratulated the new NANS leadership and praised the longstanding relationship between both organisations.

She said the Commission wanted students to play a greater role in protecting telecommunications facilities both on campuses and in surrounding communities.

Dr Maida said vandalism of telecom facilities, theft of fibre optic cables, destruction of network equipment and right-of-way challenges remain some of the biggest obstacles to quality telecom services across Nigeria.

“Telecommunications infrastructure remains the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy and plays a crucial role in learning, research, innovation and communication. Students can support national efforts aimed at protecting telecommunications infrastructure through awareness and responsible civic engagement,” he said.

He also encouraged NANS to participate more actively in the Commission’s public consultations so students’ interests can be reflected in future telecommunications policies and consumer protection initiatives.

Expanding digital opportunities

The NCC also highlighted programmes aimed at increasing digital access for young Nigerians.

According to Dr Maida, these include digital infrastructure projects funded through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), the establishment of Digital Parks in tertiary institutions and initiatives designed to improve digital learning and innovation.

He also revealed that the Commission is consulting stakeholders on a proposal that could allow students to access approved educational platforms without paying for mobile data under specific conditions.

“The Commission is currently consulting stakeholders on a proposed framework that may enable access to certain approved educational platforms under specific conditions without data charges.”

The proposal, if implemented, could lower the cost of online learning for many Nigerian students.

Consumer protection remains a priority

The Commission said consumer protection remains central to its regulatory responsibilities.

Students were encouraged to make use of consumer education materials available through the NCC to better understand their rights, manage their data usage and resolve service-related complaints.

NANS welcomes stronger collaboration

The President of NANS, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, welcomed the continued partnership with the telecommunications regulator.

He thanked the Commission for maintaining open communication with the student body and said the engagement has encouraged peaceful dialogue on national issues.

According to him, sustained collaboration between students and regulators can help strengthen awareness and support national development.

Expert perspective

Telecommunications analysts say attacks on network infrastructure have become one of the major causes of service disruptions in Nigeria.

Industry experts note that damaged fibre optic cables and vandalised telecom installations increase maintenance costs, delay network expansion and reduce service quality for consumers.

They argue that public awareness campaigns involving schools, host communities and youth organisations could complement government efforts to protect critical national infrastructure.

Public impact

For millions of Nigerians, reliable telecommunications services affect nearly every aspect of daily life—from making phone calls and accessing online classes to operating businesses and using digital financial services.

The NCC believes greater public awareness, particularly among young people, could help reduce vandalism and improve network reliability nationwide.

What’s next?

The Commission is expected to continue consultations with stakeholders on its proposed educational data access framework while expanding digital infrastructure projects across the country.

It also plans to deepen engagement with students and other groups as part of efforts to strengthen consumer protection and preserve Nigeria’s communications infrastructure.

Wema Bank has launched the seventh edition of its flagship innovation programme, Hackaholics, inviting young Nigerians with technology-driven business ideas to compete for grants, mentorship and national recognition.

The programme, unveiled at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday, introduces three competition tracks and seven innovation sectors as part of efforts to support startups and strengthen Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem.

Why it matters

Nigeria has one of Africa’s fastest-growing startup ecosystems, but many early-stage innovators struggle to access funding, mentorship and market opportunities.

Hackaholics aims to bridge that gap by providing entrepreneurs with a platform to develop their ideas, connect with investors and compete for financial support.

Since its launch in 2019, Wema Bank says the initiative has engaged more than 50,000 participants, supported over 10,000 startups, helped develop more than 100 technology solutions and awarded grant funding to dozens of innovators.

This year’s edition is themed “Powering Possibilities.”

Applications are open through the Hackaholics portal for innovators working in seven sectors:

Financial Inclusion

Healthcare

Digital Transformation

Education

Sustainability

Social Impact

Future of Work

Participants can apply under one of three categories:

Startup Pitch Competition

Hackathon

Newly introduced Social Impact Track

Following the application stage, the competition will move to 10 regional pitch centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones before culminating in a national grand finale.

Wema Bank explains expansion

Speaking during the launch, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, said the bank sees innovation as part of its broader responsibility to support economic development.

“At Wema Bank, we believe that institutions have a responsibility that extends beyond providing commercial services. We have a responsibility to create meaningful opportunities, provide the right resources, enable innovation to thrive, and support the ecosystems that will shape today’s youth as well as tomorrow’s economy.”

He added:

“This sense of responsibility is what has driven the evolution of Hackaholics from inception till date. With Hackaholics, we have, and we are investing in the next generation of innovators, inspiring innovation that will impact lives, strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and giving youth a platform to make meaningful use of their creativity; and the numbers continue to speak volumes.”

Applications now open

Declaring the application portal open, Wema Bank’s Divisional Executive for Business Support, Tajudeen Bakare, encouraged young innovators to participate.

“As we launch Hackaholics 7.0 today, we are opening up a new phase of opportunities for more Nigerian youth to challenge themselves, explore their creativity and become startup founders.”

He continued:

“I encourage every young Nigerian with a passion for innovation to leverage the opportunity that we have carefully curated through Hackaholics and get ahead of the curve in today’s dynamic work landscape. Together, we can continue to build an ecosystem where innovation flourishes, opportunities expand, and young people are empowered to create solutions that shape the future.”

Industry perspective

Technology ecosystem analysts say programmes like Hackaholics have become increasingly important as startups face tighter investment conditions globally.

Innovation competitions backed by financial institutions can provide entrepreneurs with early-stage capital, business mentoring and exposure to investors that may otherwise be difficult to access.

However, experts note that long-term success will depend on continued support after the competition, including access to funding, business advisory services and opportunities to scale successful innovations.

What it means for young Nigerians

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Hackaholics offers an opportunity to test business ideas, receive expert feedback and compete for grant funding without paying an application fee.

The programme is open to Nigerian youths with innovative technology solutions, regardless of whether they already operate a startup or are developing an early-stage idea.

What happens next?

Applications are now open through the Hackaholics portal.

Successful applicants will participate in regional pitching events before finalists compete for grants and recognition at the national finale later this year.