*Harmonized Taxes Bill Scales First Reading
By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said it has trained 900 youths in Enugu on ”critical” digital skills in emerging areas such as cybersecurity, data science, digital literacy and entrepreneurship.
Director-General (DG) of the agency, Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi, disclosed this in an address at the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF) 2026.
The ETF 2026 (ETF 2.0), which is themed: ‘Coal to Code: Energy in New Form’, would be held between 24-27 February this year.
Abdullahi said that the strategic skill training was part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, tailored to cultivate talent and digital skill for youth empowerment.
The DG, who was represented by the agency’s Director, Stakeholder Management and Partnership, Dr Aristotle Onumo, noted that of the 900 trainees, 50 had demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience and excellence.
He said: “These 50 young innovators (trainees) 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, to 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; through national initiatives such as the Digital Literacy for All Programme, the 3-Million Technical Talent Initiative, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of the Office National Digital Innovation, and the enabling framework provided by the Nigeria Startup Act.”
Abdullahi said that NITDA would continue to create pathways for young Nigerians to build globally competitive solutions.
He said that the Federal Government also provided platforms like 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, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, urged youths to take advantage all digital training, conferences and inter-connectivity involving tech-innovation.
Maida lauded Gov. Peter Mbah’s vision of building Enugu State’s future advance on technology and Artificial Intelligence-driven infrastructure in security, education, administration, judiciary and health etc.
“You must keep supporting your governor, His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, for his vision and foresight into tech-innovation and encouraging youths to be passionate about digitalisation, tech-innovation and be problem solvers,” he said.
Earlier, Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Ezeh, applaud the Federal Government, through NITDA, for investing in the youth of the state and giving them clear direction.
“Today, we are celebrating partnership between the Enugu State and Federal Government through NITDA that works and our youths have benefitted from it.
“Our successful trainees will be going home with start-up pack of brand new laptops as well as mentorship to continue to grow,” Ezeh emphasized.
High point of the event was the presentation of the laptops to the 50 successful trainees by Abdullahi and Ezeh.
State’s Harmonized Taxes Bill Scales First Reading In Legislature
In a related development in Enugu, the state’s Harmonized Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) House Bill 16, 2026 has scaled first reading.
The Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Ezenta Ezeani, at the resumption of plenary for the year 2026, presented the bill to the lawmakers on Tuesday, 26 February.
Presenting the bill under the name of the Minority Leader, Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu, representing Nkanu West constituency, the Deputy Speaker urged members to pay good attention to the bill for a robust discussion toward a second reading.
The next plenary was later adjourned to 5 March, 2026.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Some of the NITDA trainees with their starter packs.
