President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the Northwest Digital Industrial Park in Kano, a major technology hub that was destroyed during the 2024 End-Bad-Governance protest.
The park, rebuilt and reopened on Wednesday, aims to train and empower young Nigerians with digital skills. The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijjani, represented the President at the event.
“This project provided by President Bola Tinubu under his Renewed Hope Agenda can make the difference between poverty and success for young people,” Dr. Tijjani said during the ceremony.
The minister recalled the pain of seeing the center, completed in January 2024, damaged just a week before its planned launch during a protest on August 1, 2024.
“You can imagine how painful that experience was for me… only to realize in the news that it was totally destroyed. It was especially sad because the destruction was caused by young people — the very ones the center was meant to help,” he said.
Despite the setback, Dr. Tijjani said he refused to let anger stop the project.
“I immediately reached out to companies to rebuild because I didn’t want bureaucracy to delay this important center,” he added.
The digital park is expected to benefit over 180,000 people in Kano alone — about 10 percent of all applicants across Nigeria. The government’s goal is to train three million Nigerians in digital skills to connect them with global opportunities.
“You live at a time when the world is connected. I have seen young people move from nothing to something through digital access. This center can be your opportunity,” Dr. Tijjani told the youth.
He urged the youth, parents, and leaders in Kano to protect the center, comparing it to a valuable asset that will yield rewards in the future.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his deputy Abdussalam Gwarzo, said the state would train 300,000 youths in digital skills by 2027. He also revealed that 5,000 government workers had already received training.
The governor praised the minister’s efforts to bring the center to Kano and promised the state government’s full support.
As a sign of appreciation, the minister was honored with the traditional title of “Sarkin Yakin Digitalization of Kano” and received a traditional sword and hat.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said the park aligns with the national strategy for a digital economy.
“We believe this park will power Kano’s youth and help them grow their digital talents,” he said.