The Federal Government has condemned the destruction of the Nigeria Communication Commission Industrial Park in Kano, a state-of-the-art technology hub, by protesters on Thursday.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, confirmed that the facility, which was scheduled to launch next week, was looted and set ablaze. Online videos showed individuals carrying away computers, chairs, and other valuable items from the facility in Nigeria’s second-most populous state.
The incident occurred during nationwide protests against bad governance, with reports of violence in Kano. Minister Tijani stated that the facility was intended to support the Technical Talent Accelerator programme and host the Buildathon Holiday Maker programme for secondary school students.
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The 3MTT initiative is a vital component of the Renewed Hope agenda, focusing on developing Nigeria’s technical talent pipeline to drive its digital economy and establish the country as a hub for talent export. It was launched with an initial 30,000 participants, representing one per cent of the ambitious three million target. The programme has since expanded to include an additional 270,000 individuals in its second cohort, reaching a total of 10 per cent.
Meanwhile, the protest is scheduled to continue until August 10, as Nigerians demand action from the government to address the country’s economic woes. The demonstration responds to the escalating economic hardship faced by citizens, who struggle with a high cost of living, widespread hunger, soaring unemployment rates, and limited access to quality education, among other issues.
