A delegation from the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy (MIDE), led by Commissioner Hon. Bashar Umar Kwabo and Permanent Secretary Dr. Nasir Daniya, conducted an inspection of two proposed sites for new Digital Training Centers, known as Digital Communities. This initiative is part of ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, aimed at enhancing digital literacy across Sokoto State.
The inspection, carried out in collaboration with representatives from ATC Nigeria Foundation Limited by Guarantee (ATCN Foundation), sought approval to utilize a portion of land for establishing these Digital Communities. The proposed centers will provide free digital literacy, education, career skilling, job placement, and financial inclusion programs to local residents.
ATC Nigeria Wireless Infrastructure Limited, a subsidiary of American Tower Corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts, supports the ATCN Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to give back to unserved and underserved communities in Nigeria. It operates the Digital Communities initiative in 15 countries, offering fully equipped and digitally connected spaces that provide free digital literacy, youth education, financial literacy, women empowerment, career skilling, and healthcare services.
Since its inception in Nigeria, ATC Nigeria has trained over 40,000 individuals through its Digital Communities and currently runs 96 centers across 33 states. Each center, housed in retrofitted containers, contains desktop computers, internet connectivity, health and safety equipment, and paid facilitators. These centers are strategically located near ATC Nigeria’s telecommunications sites to ensure reliable power supply and robust broadband access.
When successfully launched, Governor Ahmad Aliyu-led administration intends to expand the pilot deployment across the 23 Local Governments in the State. The project is being facilitated by the Ministry in collaboration with some development partners under the coordination of an indigene of the State in diaspora, Engineer Jibril Shehu Mafara from the United States of America (USA), while representatives of the ATCN in Nigeria facilitates the deployment initiatives. Mr Samuel Achi, the zonal supervisor guided the technical inspection tour in the state.
Part of the delegation that conducted the inspection included Acting Director General of the ICT Directorate Murtala Yusuf, directors from MIDE, and heads of units from the ICT Directorate. The inspection aims to significantly boost digital literacy, education, and economic opportunities in Sokoto State.
6-8-2024
