The government of Nigeria is set to construct a National ICT Park in Abuja following the approval of US$ 23.4m by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the implementation of the project.
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Built on a 4,200 square meter piece of land, this park will the first of its kind in the West African nation due to its nature, activities, and the state-of-the-art facilities it will have e.g. National ICT Exhibition Centre, as well as Museum for ICT and postal services, to showcase technology-related innovations by Nigerians.
The National ICT Park will be supported by the recently launched National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (NDIEC).
The role and benefits of the ICT Park
According to the Honorable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the National ICT Park will be a focal point for the supervision of both public and private ICT hubs in the country.
“It will also serve as a center for National ICT Policy formulation, Research, and Development. Furthermore, through it the Federal Government will provide the enabling environment for creative Nigerians to come up with innovative technologies,” added the minister.
The future ICT Park will have a number of benefits including boosting the digital economy, provision of space and environment for the growth of innovation-driven enterprises (IDEs), serving as an incubator for cutting-edge technology, and a mentorship platform for innovators, amongst others.
It will provide a central location for Nigerian innovators with vibrant and developmental ideas to receive mentorship and all that they need to thrive.
Supporting the new national strategic digital economy policy
The project in question is in line with the ambitions of the new national strategic digital economy policy adopted last year. In its pillar 5, it gives pride of place to the development and promotion of digital services.
PLEASE WHERE IS THE ICT PARK TO BE LOCATED?