Digitnomics 
By Francisca Anuforo,
Nigeria’s drive toward a digitally inclusive economy gained further momentum as the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, commissioned a Community Information Technology Centre established by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State.
The facility, developed through a partnership between NITDA and the Renewed Hope Initiative, is expected to expand access to digital skills, innovation opportunities and technology-enabled economic participation in one of Nigeria’s underserved communities.
Speaking during the commissioning, Senator Tinubu described the centre as a strategic investment in human capital development, noting that digital literacy has become essential for participation in today’s knowledge-driven economy.
She said the Ihugh centre is the fourth ICT facility delivered through the collaboration, following similar interventions in Bauchi, Kwara and Oyo states, aimed at bridging Nigeria’s digital divide and extending technology opportunities to grassroots communities.
According to her, the centres are designed to equip women, youths and aspiring entrepreneurs with the digital competencies needed to access emerging economic opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Beyond digital empowerment, the First Lady announced a N100 million grant targeted at 2,000 women petty traders in the area, underscoring the link between technology adoption, financial inclusion and grassroots economic growth.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, said the centre represents more than a physical infrastructure project, describing it as a platform for digital transformation and economic empowerment.
He noted that residents would have access to digital literacy programmes, innovation resources and emerging technologies capable of improving productivity across sectors, including education, entrepreneurship and agriculture.
According to Inuwa, technology is increasingly becoming a critical enabler of agricultural productivity through data-driven solutions such as weather forecasting, soil analysis and precision farming tools.
“The digital economy presents enormous opportunities for communities that are equipped with the right skills and infrastructure. This centre is designed to ensure that residents can access those opportunities and leverage technology to improve their livelihoods,” he said.
The NITDA chief also highlighted the agency’s broader digital capacity-building efforts in Benue State, revealing that more than 13,300 residents have been trained through various digital literacy and skills development programmes. He added that the agency has established a Community ICT Centre in Wannune and supported the deployment of nine Digital Learning Centres across the state.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, described the project as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation, pledging the state’s support to ensure the facility remains operational and impactful.
The launch of the Ihugh ICT Centre aligns with Nigeria’s broader ambition to build an inclusive digital economy by expanding technology infrastructure, strengthening digital skills and creating pathways for citizens to participate in the opportunities emerging from the country’s digital transformation agenda.
