In a move to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), in collaboration with Huawei Nigeria and Globacom, has launched a “Digital Village” in Ibwa 2, Kura community, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.
The initiative is aimed at delivering high-speed internet, e-learning tools, and telemedicine access to underserved areas, transforming remote communities into hubs of connectivity and development.
The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, led the launch with a powerful message on digital inclusion.
Commending the federal government’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation across all facets of the nation, the Honourable Minister said “We are privileged to have a President who is committed to the development of every Nigerian, no matter where they are,” Tijani said.
“This project was mandated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure every citizen has access to the opportunities digital technology offers.”
READ ALSO: 20 trending YouTube blockbuster Nollywood movies with over 1 million views to watch
Holding up his mobile phone, Tijani described it as a “window to the world,” capable of connecting people with loved ones, financial services, education, and healthcare. But he stressed that for 20 million Nigerians—mostly in the North—such opportunities remain out of reach due to lack of connectivity infrastructure.
“This is why the President has directed investments in 7,000 connectivity kits like the one installed here,” he said. “Kura community is the first to benefit, and if we use it wisely, more will come.”
Beyond mobile access, the Digital Village project includes free public Wi-Fi, internet-enabled schools with smart Ideahub boards, and digitized health centres that promote telemedicine—all supported by solar-powered infrastructure.
Tijani praised Huawei Nigeria for not only providing the internet towers but also donating learning devices, training teachers, and renovating the local school. The community school is fitted with the Huawei IdeaHub and smart blackboard to implement smart education functions, including remote learning. Likewise, hospitals are equipped with general practice medial kits, workstations and IdeaHub to implement telemedicine and effectively solve the problem of insufficient teachers and doctors in remote areas.
“They’ve gone beyond connectivity. They’re investing in people,” he noted.
Huawei Nigeria’s Enterprise Managing Director, Terrens Wu, said the project was about transforming lives, not just installing tech.
in his words, “digital village is not just about technology, it is about people. Farmers can check prices, students can study online, and pregnant women can receive medical care advice—all from their phones. This is how we change lives,” Wu said. “It’s about tearing down barriers.”
He emphasised the project’s three key pillars: connectivity, education, and healthcare.
Globacom’s Northwest Division Head, Kazim Kaka, echoed the sentiment, calling the initiative “a declaration of equity and progress.”
“This is not just telecom—it’s about giving every Nigerian a fair chance to thrive in the digital age,” he said, stressing the importance of sustainable public-private partnerships in overcoming rural connectivity challenges.
At the unveiling, Ibuwa 2 Kura’s traditional ruler, Alhaji Abubakar Shuaibu, expressed heartfelt gratitude.
“Our village looks like London today,” he said.
“We have network, gadgets, and even a renovated school and hospital. Though we still need more staff and teachers, this is a giant leap forward.”
With the Digital Village pilot in Kura now serving over 12,000 residents, the government says more communities will soon follow, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.