The smart city innovation hub is mixed development information and communication technology ICT Park that would ignite innovation and accelerate exponentially the rate of technology development and assimilation across West Africa.
The first phase of the project is which provides for a 25-Hectare development dedicated to meeting the commercial needs of IT companies, card payment firms and IT training institutions is expected to be ready in 2016
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Director General of NITDA, Dr. Peter Jack, observed that part of the mandate of the agency is to ensure widespread establishment of IT parks, innovation hubs in the country.
Jack observed that the Smart city innovation hub would be the R and D centre for actualising NITDA’s dream of a digital coast adding that the coordination hub for the Digital Coast Initiative would be conveniently located within the SmartCity Innovation Hub.
He noted that the agency took the SmartCity project to Dubai last year and attracted some interests and is currently in talks with people from India, Russia and South Korea who have indicated interest in the Nigerian ICT sector
Jack pointed out that NITDA has been part of similar initiatives like the Information Technology Developers Entrepreneurship Accelerator (IDEA Hub) an IDEA Hubs in Calabar within Tinnapa complex adding that the agency made provision for Kano ICT park in the 2014 budget.
He stated that the agency has gone far in engaging the Abuja Technology Village to relocate the GSM Village within the Abuja Technology Village Complex.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Smart City Resorts Plc, Sir Demola Aladekomo, said that the innovation Hub is a landmark, innovative and revolutionary project that would provide conducive cocoon in terms of physical and ICT infrastructure, energy, regulatory and fiscal policies for the optimum and most profitable operation and development of technology products and service companies.
He noted that the SmartCity innovation Hub is a sustainable Green Mixed Development and residential community where the best of ICT minds in Nigeria and beyond would find a place to live, work, thrive and recreate
According to him, the innovation hub which is domiciled in the fast-growing Lekki-Epe corridor has the support and partnership of major public sector, corporate and private ICT industry stakeholders
Aladekomo disclosed that the Lagos state government has given its full support for the project adding that the innovation hub would place the megacity of Lagos on the global ICT map, create over 1 million jobs within the next five years and increase revenues being generated by government agencies.
