FG Unveils Digital Skills Hub To Empower Youths, Support Startups

The federal government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has commissioned a state-of-the-art digital community centre in Akesan, Lagos, aimed at bridging the digital divide and empowering Nigerian youth with the tools to thrive in a modern economy.

The initiative, spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), represents a bold step under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to decentralise access to digital skills, foster innovation, and nurture a new generation of problem solvers, creatives, and tech entrepreneurs.

The minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, at the commissioning event, in Lagos, on Thursday, described the Lagos centre as a strategic hub designed to serve as a launchpad for digital skills development, startup incubation, and collaborative innovation.

“This space is more than just a building. It is a bridge between federal policy and the limitless ingenuity of Lagos. With programs like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT), this hub is set to produce the workforce that will shape the future of our digital economy,” Tijani stated.

Tijani, who was represented by the director of E-Government, Ministry Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Johnson Bayerei, emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to inclusivity, highlighting efforts such as the 3MTT programme, the ongoing development of the National Digital Economy & E-Governance Bill, and Project BRIDGE—an ambitious infrastructure project that seeks to deploy 90,000 kilometers of fibre-optic cable across Nigeria to strengthen nationwide connectivity.

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“Lagos is not just a beneficiary of these initiatives—it is a strategic partner. From the dynamic tech ecosystem in Yaba to emerging innovation clusters across the state, Lagos continues to show what’s possible when ambition meets opportunity. To the youth of Lagos, this centre is your sandbox for innovation, your runway to the world. Use it boldly,” the minister advised.

Director general of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi noted that the Akesan Community Centre is part of a broader national effort to achieve 95 percent digital literacy by 2030. He cited the agency’s Digital Literacy Framework, which integrates tech training into formal education, workforce readiness, and nationwide civic learning.

“The community has played a critical role in bringing this project to life. With a local woman donating the land and elders supporting the effort, this is a model of grassroots ownership that we hope to replicate across Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.

So far, under the current administration, NITDA has completed 222 smaller centres, 18 community centres, and 3 innovation hubs. The agency is targeting 1,600 centres nationwide to ensure that every Nigerian is included in the country’s digital economy.