Speaking during the inauguration, on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, noted that the innovation park mattered so deeply for economic growth.
Tijani said the park was a vital part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda, which placed digital innovation, youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth at the heart of Nigeria’s journey to a one trillion dollar economy.
He stated that the ministry had set out to make Nigeria a global leader in digital infrastructure, talent development and innovation.
According to the minister, the park would serve as a platform for youth empowerment and a place where skills meet opportunity.
“A launchpad for innovation where ideas become ventures and ventures become industries. A catalyst for community transformation, especially for the adjoining neighborhoods.
“This can now evolve into one of Africa’s next great tech clusters. Abeokuta has everything it needs to compete, not just with Lagos, but with Kigali, Accra and Nairobi.
“What we need now, is to unlock and connect the dots,” he said.
Tijani explained that the nation was building the foundation fiber optics, AI frameworks, tech talent pipelines and smart regulation, not just for Lagos or Abuja, but for every part of the country.
He, however, described Abeokuta as a city rich in history, culture and resilience with a growing network of academic institutions and eager minds waiting to be nurtured.
The minister commended Gov. Dapo Abiodun for investing wisely in roads, tourism, infrastructure and digital future.
“When we invest strategically; when we collaborate across tiers and when we center innovation as a tool for inclusion, we do more than build structures; we build nations,” he said.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, noted that the project marked progress in the delivery of a tangible achievement of President Tinubu’s administration
He said that the park would serve as a vital component of the broader agenda to accelerate Information Communication Technology (ICT) innovation, strengthen research capabilities and drive the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“Technology today is one of the most powerful drivers of economic transformation. For an emerging economy like ours, it remains one of our greatest hopes for leapfrogging development.
“This is why we must create the right environment for it to thrive.
“The concept behind the Digital Industrial Park is rooted in our vision to promote innovation and digital entrepreneurship in the ICT sector, and to support research and development .
“In addition to what we have here in Abeokuta, the commission is currently implementing three other Digital Industrial Parks (DIP) in Kano, Borno and Enugu states.
“These parks are equipped with computer labs, smart networking systems, collaborative workspaces and multipurpose halls.
“They have been designed to include hands-on practice laboratories for training and skills development,” he said.
In his remarks, Gov. Abiodun said the event marked another significant milestone in the journey of the state toward becoming a leading hub for technology, innovation and digital transformation in Nigeria.
“This digital innovation park means progress; a catalyst for economic growth and a testament to the state government’s commitment to harnessing technology for the collective good of the people,” he said.
