By Stanley Iwuoha
In a bid to transform the country into a technology driven and knowledge-based economy, the Federal government yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with a United Kingdom Consortia, Domineum-Edenbase, UK on establishment of Technology Cities across the country.
Signing the MoU on behalf of Federal government, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji said the event marked a concrete step towards the take-off of the proposed Abuja Tech City.
He said the proposed Abuja Tech City will be modelled after the UK Tech City built, the second largest technology village in the world.
He said the initiative by Federal government is aimed at ensuring sustainable industrialization through the establishment of Tech Cities across the country.
‘‘Today, we lay the foundation for the participation of a key player in the Tech City project by establishing the general framework that facilitates collaboration and cooperation for technology transfer between Domineum/Edenbase Consortium, UK and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
‘‘The Federal government is committed to ensuring sustainable industrialization through the establishment of Tech Cities across the country. We are well aware that Tech Cities are the catalysts for rapid industrialization in a country and enhancement of operational synergy within critical sectors.
‘’This is evident in the results from the Silicon Valley project and the Tech Parks in UK, Singapore, and South Korea’’.
Chief Nnaji said the Abuja Tech City Ecosystem will be developed by the same consortia that developed the London Tech City Ecosystem. ‘‘It is important to note that London Tech City is the 2nd most valuable Tech Ecosystem on earth after Silicon Valley. It produced 61 billion pounds in its 5th year of operation and is currently home to over 5000 companies. We intend to create such huge successes in Nigeria’’.
According to him, the Abuja Tech City will be a full-blown smart and green City complete with tech-driven Start-Ups, industries, entertainment, schools, parks etc.
Also, the Minister explained that the Tech City will be a free Trade Zone and home to MIST’s Agenda 8 and 9, which include the Clean Tech program and the Green Manufacturing Initiative.
He assured the commitment of the Federal government towards making the project a success and sought the support of all stakeholders
In his remarks, the Domineum CEO, Geoffrey Nwosu who expressed satisfaction with the signing of the MoU, assured that the Tech Cities would be used to transform Nigeria into a knowledge based economy.
‘‘We are going to use this system to change the lives of Nigerians and turn the fortune of the economy. As an international partners, we are committed to bringing the investment needed to bare’’.
On his part, the Director of Edenbase, Satesh Melawani said he was excited to partner Domineum in building Tech Cities in Nigeria and for technology transfer from UK.
