The Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (CRSMEDA) has secured a strategic partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to deploy Digital Learning Centres (DLC) at Bendi Technical College in Obanliku LGA and Government Secondary School in Adiabo, Odukpani LGA.
The initiative marks a major milestone in CRSMEDA’s mission to integrate ICT into the state’s enterprise framework and connect remote communities to the global digital marketplace.
According to the agency, the DLCs are designed as comprehensive strategic interventions aimed at bridging the digital divide. The centres will provide modern computing hardware, high-speed internet, and Local Area Networks (LAN). They will also feature smart boards and sustainable solar-powered energy systems to ensure uninterrupted innovation.
CRSMEDA said the infrastructure will lay the foundation for a strong tech ecosystem across the Northern and Southern Senatorial Districts of the state.
The Director-General of CRSMEDA, Great Ogban, emphasized that the digital hubs represent a new phase of economic growth for Cross River State. He said the centres are designed as “vibrant incubators where students, artisans, and small business owners can master high-demand tech skills and scale their enterprises through e-commerce.”
He added that the agency is committed to transforming the state into a leading destination for digital services and tech-driven entrepreneurship.
Implementation of the project is already underway, with a specialized team in place and NITDA’s Project Management Department overseeing execution. The beneficiary institutions are working closely with the agency and have appointed liaison officers to manage project-related correspondence.
CRSMEDA noted that the collaboration between federal and state institutions reflects the administration’s “People First” agenda. The agency stated that the DLCs demonstrate progress in digital empowerment and encouraged stakeholders to monitor developments as the hubs prepare to deliver connectivity tools that will position Cross River State enterprises for global opportunities.
