The Federal Government has announced that it has established two virtual Information Technology academies to cater for the schools closure occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who disclosed this at the virtual inauguration of six Information and Communications Technology projects located in four states, said the academies have been on-going since March this year.
Pantami said about 33,000 Nigerians had enrolled into the two academies, learning various IT skills ranging from artificial intelligence, 5G technology, and other courses.
He said the projects, which were inaugurated virtually, included two IT hubs each at the University of Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an ICT Community Centre, Daura, Katsina State.
Others were the NiGCOMSAT North-West regional office, Kaduna; Emergency Communications Centre, Kaduna; and an ICT centre at Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwolo.
Pantami described the IT hubs in Lagos and Zaria as world-class centres that would promote digital skills, contribute to solid digital infrastructure, digital services, digital society and emerging technologies as well as promote digital content.
He stated that the hubs serve as IT centres of excellence where young innovators can be discovered, mentored, provided with funding and linked with relevant institutions.
