Buhari To Inaugurate N12bn Digital Centre In Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari will inaugurate a N12.1 billion Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre being constructed by the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) in Abuja.

This was disclosed yesterday by the minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, who expressed satisfaction with the level and quality of works already delivered by the contractor.

Pantami, who was accompanied by the director general of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, undertook an inspection tour of the building located at the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

According to the minister, funds for the project came in two tranches of 9.56 billion naira and 2.65 billion naira as approved by the Federal Executive Council following the memos he presented to the Council.

Speaking with reporters after inspection of the project, the Minister said the project was a legacy project expected to create direct and indirect jobs for scores of young Innovators and entrepreneurs in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Pantami said:” President Buhari is placing emphasis on the ICT sector as the best way to diversify the economy and ensure that our reliance on the oil and gas sector reduces significantly. This development has been yielding positive results because the latest statistics showed that the ICT sector contributed about 18 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while the oil and gas sector contributed about seven per cent.

“The President also accented to the Startups Act, and this will change the narratives of the digital innovation and entrepreneurship component of the sector. The building when completed would bring Startups, investors and manufacturers together on issues relating to digital innovation and the benefits thereof “.

Pantami said the building project which commenced in 2020 had 36 months duration for its completion with 7.5 percent Value Added Tax and other taxes applicable to such projects.

He commended NITDA for sourcing funds for the project and for patronising local contractors for the execution of the project, adding that it will generate more employment for Nigerians.