By 
The Nigerian government is to set up the first National ICT Park for N8.9 billion, decades after the idea was first mentioned by some stakeholders. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, announced this week in Abuja that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the country’s highest decision making body, has given approval following a memo presented by him to the council.
“The Park is the first of its kind due to its nature, activities and the state-of-the-art facilities it will have. The Park will also accommodate the National ICT Exhibition Centre, as well as Museum for ICT and postal services, to showcase technology-related innovations by Nigerians,” said Pantami in a statement issued by his technical assistant, Dr Femi Adeluyi.
“The National ICT Park would be a focal point for the supervision of both public and private ICT hubs in the country. The N8.9billion Park will be built on a 4,200 square meter land. The Park will serve as a centre for National ICT Policy formulation, Research and Development. Through it, the Federal Government will provide the enabling environment for creative Nigerians to come up with innovative technologies,” the statement added.
According to Pantami, “both (the NDIEC and the Park) are legacy projects of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. All the parastatals of the Ministry will be involved in managing the National Centres. The National ICT Park would be a focal point for the supervision of both public and private ICT hubs in the country.”
He added: “The 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.”
