The Federal Government denounced the destruction of the Nigeria Communication Commission Industrial Park in Kano, a cutting-edge technology hub, by protesters on Thursday. 

Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, confirmed that the facility, scheduled to launch next week, was both looted and set on fire. Videos online captured people removing computers, chairs, and other valuable items from the site in Nigeria’s second-most populous state.

The incident took place amidst nationwide protests against poor governance, with reports of violence in Kano.

Tijani described the destruction as “a slight setback” for Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions and youth job creation efforts, but acknowledged that “millions of naira have gone down the drain.”

“Sad to learn that our Digital Innovation Park in Kano, slated for launch next week to support our technical talent accelerator (3MTT), has been set ablaze and looted by protesters,” Tijani wrote on X.

The minister explained that the facility was designed to back the Technical Talent Accelerator program and host the Buildathon Holiday Maker program for high school students.

The 3MTT initiative is a key part of the Renewed Hope agenda, aimed at cultivating Nigeria’s technical talent to boost its digital economy and position the country as a talent-export hub.

It started with 30,000 participants, making up one percent of the three million target. The program has now grown to include an additional 270,000 individuals in its second phase, reaching ten percent of the goal.