The Federal Government through National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has equipped 900 youths in Enugu State with critical digital skills in cybersecurity, data science, digital literacy and entrepreneurship.
The Director-General of NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi, disclosed this while addressing participants at the ongoing Enugu Tech Festival 2026 (ETF 2.0). The festival, themed “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,” is scheduled to hold from Feb. 24 to Feb. 27.
Abdullahi said the initiative aligns with the Nigerian Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is designed to nurture talent while strengthening digital capacity among young people for sustainable empowerment. He noted that 50 of the 900 participants distinguished themselves through exceptional dedication, resilience and outstanding performance.
Represented by NITDA’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnership, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, the Director-General said the selected innovators would receive brand new laptops as digital tools.
“These 50 young innovators will not just receive digital tools; they will be receiving instruments of transformation.
“These tools represent opportunity; they represent empowerment; they represent the confidence that Nigeria believes in them.
“But more importantly, they represent responsibility the responsibility to build solutions, create value, and to transform communities.
“This is the new energy of Enugu. Not coal, but code. Not extraction, but innovation. Not limitation, but possibility and this is only the beginning,” he said.
Abdullahi added that NITDA would continue to create pathways for young Nigerians to build globally competitive solutions. He said the government has also provided platforms such as the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition, the largest government-led tech event in Nigeria, and GITEX Nigeria.
“Where innovators can showcase their ideas to global investors, attract funding, and expand beyond national borders. The message is clear: your innovation can go global.
“To the young people here today, who will be the recipient of these digital tools, I want you to understand something profound: you are not just learning skills you are shaping the future,” he added.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, urged youths to take advantage of digital trainings, conferences and inter-connectivity in tech innovation.
Maida lauded Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of advancing Enugu State’s future through technology and Artificial Intelligence-driven infrastructure in security, education, administration, judiciary and health. He urged continued support for the governor’s commitment to digitalisation and youth-driven innovation.
