The Kogi State Government has expressed readiness to expand digital infrastructure to create greater opportunities for youth empowerment through a renewed strategic partnership with telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria.
The renewed collaboration is the focus of a high-level engagement involving key government officials, ICT stakeholders and MTN executives, aimed at exploring areas of mutual interest to deepen broadband penetration, strengthen digital public infrastructure and drive technology-led economic growth across the state.
Speaking during the meeting, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Kogi State Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnership Agency, Aliyu Inda-Salami, described the engagement as a reset in the relationship between the Kogi State Government and MTN.
He said the partnership is designed to deliver sustainable benefits for both parties while advancing the state’s digital transformation agenda.
“We want a collaboration that is a win-win for both parties. It is not going to be a zero-sum game where one side wins and the other loses. By ensuring that both parties benefit, we can guarantee the sustainability of this partnership,” Salami stated.
Also speaking, Director-General of the Kogi State Information and Communications Technology Development Agency, Bashir Tenuche, said discussions centred on identifying areas of collaboration that would accelerate ICT development and digital inclusion across the state.
According to him, efforts are being intensified to improve broadband penetration, strengthen digital public infrastructure and create an enabling environment for businesses, students and technology enthusiasts to thrive in the state.
“We have a lot of young people who are passionate about ICT. The responsibility of government is to create an environment where people can learn, innovate and thrive. This engagement is a major step in that direction,” Tenuche said.
On his part, MTN’s Regional Enterprise Business Executive for Northern Nigeria, Michael Olaniyi, described the meeting as a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening ties between the telecommunications company and the Kogi State Government.
He noted that the renewed partnership would help deepen digital penetration and technological awareness across the state, ensuring that the benefits of technology are felt by ordinary citizens.
“It was an opportunity to reset our relationship with Kogi State and explore how we can work together to deepen digital penetration and technological awareness. Our goal is to ensure that the benefits of technology reach the average person on the street,” Olaniyi said.
He expressed confidence in the long-term sustainability of the partnership, citing the commitment demonstrated by both MTN and the Kogi State Government to advancing digital innovation, economic growth and youth development.
