FG Collaborates with Egbin to Establish Data Park
The Federal Government has collaborated with Egbin Power, a leading power generation company to establish a National Data Park and Compute Centre, which will play a crucial role in powering the digital economy.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Tijani, recently visited the Egbin Power plant, where he was given an overview of the facility and accompanied by the management team on a tour of the premises.
During the discussion, the Minister expressed confidence that Egbin Power has the right environment to host the Data Park, enabling the company to play a vital role in driving the digital economy.
Dr. Tijani emphasized the importance of a digital economy in achieving the nation’s growth objectives, stating, “Without a digital economy, the growth we seek cannot be realized.
Everything we need to truly power the digital economy exists here in Egbin Power—not only in terms of energy and water, but also in the excellence of the team that runs this facility. That is what is required to fuel the digital economy.”
The Minister also highlighted the global advancement in artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need for Africa to catch up with this momentum. He stressed the importance of finding innovative ways to participate in this digital phenomenon, noting that Nigeria’s digital economy significantly contributes to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In his remarks, the CEO of Egbin Power, Dr. Adesina, commented on the strategic collaboration, saying, “There is a nexus between the digital economy and power. Reliable power enhances the functionality of the digital economy, whether in terms of the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), data utilization, and more.” He expressed commitment to supporting the establishment of a National Data Park and Compute Centre and other IT infrastructure required for the digital economy.
Dr. Adesina highlighted Egbin Power’s reliable energy, available land for expansion, and conducive environment for such digital infrastructure, stating, “We are here to support the idea of building the Data Park or other IT infrastructure required within the digital economy. We have reliable power, the land, and the right environment needed.”
The Egbin Power CEO also noted that significant investments and technological innovations have been made to revitalize the plant since its takeover, with expansion plans in the pipeline to double its capacity. The company’s CEO, Mokhtar Bounour, reiterated the plant’s dedication to consistent power generation for the national grid, despite the challenges inherent in the power sector.
“We are open to collaborations that will drive Nigeria’s growth and success. We will continue to push boundaries to deliver reliable power to the nation, facilitating socio-economic progress and ensuring our communities and stakeholders thrive,” Bounour stated.
As part of his visit, the Minister also toured the Bright Gyimah Innovation Centre, located within Powerfields Schools, owned by Egbin Power. The Innovation Centre serves as a facility for students to acquire skills in Information Technology (IT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and to explore their creativity in arts, music, and culinary/hospitality fields.
The collaboration between the Federal Government and Egbin Power is expected to have a significant impact on the nation’s digital economy, driving innovation and growth in the sector. With the establishment of a National Data Park and Compute Centre, Nigeria is poised to become a major player in the global digital economy, creating new opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals alike.
