The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has established six ICT parks across the country to drive innovation and digital entrepreneurship for national economic transformation.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida announced this in Daura, Katsina State, while handing over an ICT Park to the management of the Federal University of Transport Technology, Daura.
He explained that the ICT parks were established to serve as incubation centers for indigenous technology in line with the national policy of harnessing the economic potentials of the ICT sector.
“Technology is the biggest driver of economic growth and development in the twenty-first century world and, for Nigeria, it is the biggest hope for economic transformation.
“The establishment of these ICT parks is rooted in our vision to promote innovation and digital entrepreneurship in the ICT sector and to support research and development through transformation of ideas into market-ready solutions.”
Dr. Maida said the parks were equipped with high speed and high capacity computers, smart networking systems and simulation rooms to support research, innovation and socio-economic development.
He noted that the ICT park in Daura was equipped with “five ICT hub halls, a 24-seater lab with eight double computer work stations, a 100-seater capacity hall and multiple work spaces and offices”.
“It is designed to serve as an incubation center for indigenous technology solutions to contribute to the socio-econonic transformation of our nation.
“Our goal is to create an ecosystem where state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure will support advanced education in railway engineering, logistics and transportation management while fostering cutting-edge research and skills development.
He said with technology being a key driver of economic transformation in the 21st century, the facility will align with the university’s curriculum by supporting advanced education in railway, marine and air transport engineering.
The NCC boss urged the university management students researchers and in the broader in Dora community to take full advantage of the ICT pack to drive indigenous technology and innovation.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Daura, Prof. Umar Katsayal said the institution will utilize the ICT park for research, simulation, training and other academic activities.
He said as the custodian of the facility, the university management will safeguard it against vandalism and misuse.
COV/Isma’il Adamu
