The Federal Government of Nigeria today, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, commissioned the Muhammadu Buhari IT Innovation Centre in Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria, as part of its digital skills empowerment campaign.
Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who commissioned the fully completed project on behalf of the President, stated that the centre was established to empower youths with the necessary digital skills, drive innovation, and challenge creativity as part of the Federal Government’s economic digitalization agenda. “There is a global paradigm change with an emphasis on proven skills over credentials, as well as a need to diversify away from natural resources such as oil and gas, and Nigeria is no exception in its pursuit of digital capabilities in the fourth industrial revolution.” As a result, we believe it is critical to develop innovation centers in at least each geopolitical zone of the country, recognize current talent, support and give an enabling environment and mentorship so that Nigeria can boast of its own Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos in the next decades.”
Professor Pantami went on to say that today’s leading economies are innovation-driven, and that with the current administration’s dedication to digitalizing the Nigerian economy, as well as the natural potential Nigeria has, it is possible.
The governor of Katsina State, His Excellency, Rt Honorable Amina Bello Masari, members of the State’s Executive Council, the Director General of NITDA, Mallam Kashif Inuwa Abdullahi, Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission Governing Board, Professor Adeolu Akande, and a host of other top public and private sector officials were in attendance at the commissioning.
Earlier, the Honourable Minister attended the Katsina State Talent Hunt Award Ceremony, where prizes were presented to worthy young innovators in a variety of disciplines, ranging from ICT to arts and entertainment creativity.
Mrs. Uwa Suleiman, Spokesperson for the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
