In a pioneering move to expand grassroots innovation and digital inclusion, the Cross River State Government has teamed up with the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) to launch an intensive, five-day skills-training program. Under the banner “Building Grassroots Innovation in Satellite Technology,” this initiative seeks to empower 200 youths with hands-on expertise in satellite communications and digital technology.
Governor Bassey Otu officially inaugurated the training on Tuesday at a special ceremony in Calabar, expressing pride in the program’s ambition to deepen the state’s digital capabilities and position its young citizens for emerging tech-driven opportunities.
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Bridging the Skills Gap for Tomorrow’s Tech Workforce
Governor Otu highlighted the urgency of updating the state’s labour profile in response to global tech trends. “This training is not just about skills,” he emphasised. “It’s about building manpower to meet global technology demands.” By bringing in 50 participants for a Space Hackathon and 150 for Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technical training, the state government aims to broaden digital skills at a community level.
Participants will leave the training with the proficiency to assemble and deploy VSAT systems—essential infrastructure for broadband satellite connectivity—at a time when demand for rural digital access and telecom services is rapidly increasing.
NIGCOMSAT: A Strategic Partner in Digital Empowerment
Jane Egerton‑Idehen, Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT (represented at the event by deputy director Maurine Izekwe), praised Cross River’s proactive approach. She underscored the importance of collaboration, stating that although other states received proposals for similar training, only Cross River acted swiftly. “This shows the government’s commitment towards youth development,” she said.
Egerton‑Idehen emphasised two core components:
- VSAT Training: Empowering 150 youths with technical know‑how to install and maintain satellite communication systems.
- Space Hackathon: Engaging 50 participants in ideation, prototyping, and development of locally relevant solutions using satellite technology.
Her message was clear: participants should be able to set up a full VSAT system by the close of the workshop, a capability heavily invested in by both Cross River State and NIGCOMSAT.
Youth Development Takes Centre Stage
Commissioner for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, Ukam Odum‑Ijom, conveyed the state government’s commitment to transitioning from dependency to self-reliance. “We have so many youths in Cross River, but a few of you were chosen to acquire this knowledge; the intention is to empower you to become self‑reliant,” he declared.
Odum‑Ijom also highlighted the broader socioeconomic benefits: fostering digital enablers of community-level growth, enabling employment in telecom companies, NGOs, and beyond, or even creating sustainable VSAT-based enterprises in underserved rural communities.
Crafting a Sustainable Tech Ecosystem Through Hands-On Learning
This immersive, multi-pronged training is designed to bridge the divide between academic learning and practical application. By combining theory with in-field installation and prototyping, organizers aim to create a cadre of highly skilled young professionals capable of driving digital transformation in both urban and rural Cross River communities.
The collaboration reflects a strategic effort to decentralise digital empowerment beyond traditional tech hubs. New participants are being equipped not just with skills, but with the entrepreneurial mindset and regional perspective needed to scale grassroots innovations.
Impacting Lives and Inspiring Aspirations
Selected through a competitive process across the state’s 18 local government areas, the training cohort represents a cross-section of talented, motivated youths. Some recipients voiced gratitude and determination during the opening sessions, pledging to maximise the opportunity and mature into digital entrepreneurs.
Governor Otu echoed this sentiment, urging accountability and urgency. “Be blessed to be nominated, but take this seriously to become future entrepreneurs,” he said, underscoring the state’s readiness to back promising participants.
A National Movement for Digital Capacity Building
Cross River’s partnership with NIGCOMSAT is part of a larger national trend toward expanding digital skills training across Nigeria. The federal 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, launched in October 2023 by NITDA under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, similarly aims to train millions of Nigerians in key tech fields by 2027.
However, Cross River’s collaboration is unique in its focus on VSAT and grassroots innovation—a sector often overlooked in favour of high-tech or software-centric programs. By integrating satellite communications into youth training, the state is charting a new path in Nigeria’s digital skills revolution.
Looking Ahead: From Training to Transformation
The question remains: How will this training translate into lasting development impact?
- Regional Network of VSAT Technicians: Trained participants are expected to form a network of certified technicians capable of servicing communities across Cross River.
- Seedbed for Innovation: Graduates of the Space Hackathon may receive follow-on support to scale their prototype solutions within their communities.
- Private–Public Employment Pipelines: Telecom companies and NGOs may recruit certified technicians, while Cross River government encourages entrepreneur-led VSAT services.
- Future Collaboration: Governor Otu invited further partnerships, assuring that Cross River “is the best place to work with” for ongoing tech initiatives.
Scaling Digital Transformation from Grassroots Up
This program’s success could set important precedents. It not only places satellite communications into the mainstream of youth training but also demonstrates how targeted, practical education can act as a springboard for regional digital economies.
By decentralising tech empowerment, Cross River is promoting inclusive growth—one that places satellite technology at the heart of digital literacy and entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
The Cross River–NIGCOMSAT collaboration marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital capacity-building journey. By training 200 youths in the practical nuts and bolts of satellite technology, the state is laying the groundwork for a digitally empowered generation capable of bridging communication gaps across rural communities and fueling a new wave of local tech-driven entrepreneurship.
Its unique focus on VSAT systems and grassroots hackathons places Cross River at the cutting edge of satellite-based digital innovation in Nigeria. If the hands-on skills imparted translate into employment, enterprise, and connectivity breakthroughs, this initiative could become a national model for sustainable digital transformation.
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