Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Ltd. donates million dollar telecommunications laboratory to Nigeria

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) in 2004 introduced an initiative known as the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), established to offer trainings to entrepreneurs, young and veteran professionals, promote world-class research and also serve as a tool to drive advocacy and policy developments in Nigeria.

With the rise in public-private sector partnerships to develop advanced ICT skills and facilities in Nigeria, the Digital Bridge Institute recently commissioned its world-class GSM/UMTS telecommunications network equipment laboratory in Abuja fully equipped with Optical Fiber Nodes, Wireless Radio Access Nodes and Ultramodern Next-Generation Core Switching Network with an estimated worth of about One Million USD ($1M), all donated by Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited.

In attendance at the commissioning were dignitaries from government sectors such as the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Television Authority, the media and representatives from Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited.

The chairman, governing board of the Digital Bridge Institute, Engineer Titi Omo-ettu, at the commissioning stated that “the telecommunications laboratory which is donated by Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited represents a leap in the efforts of the institute to provide qualitative hands-on practical telecommunications and ICT training in line with its core mandate of building functional skills.”

This is “especially given that the development of the skilled workforce across all sectors of the economy has become national priority. We are keenly aware that there is a global shift from natural resources as a basis for national competitiveness to human resources underpinned by knowledge and innovation which has enabled other countries such as China to achieve rapid and sustained economic growth.”

Engineer Titi Omo-ettu further expressed his optimism towards more partnerships with Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria stating that he hopes the partnership established three years ago will further blossom to improve the skills of the Nigerian graduates who needs the required skills to find their bearing in the industry.

Dr. Ike Adinde, Administrator, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), expressing his utmost gratitude to Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited stated that “the telecommunication equipment laboratory started in July 2018 with the donation of a complement of modern telecommunications equipment by Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited to the DBI. This was followed with the installation of the equipment at DBI headquarters in Abuja by industry experts.”

Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Ltd. donates million dollar telecommunications laboratory to Nigeria Pulse Nigeria

“We are proud to note that the laboratory is equipped with Transmission equipment (Optical Fiber-SDH, WDM, and Microwave radio), 2G/3G wireless radio access nodes (BSC, RNC, BTS, Node-B) and ultra-modern next-generation core network switching centre which gives a complete end-to-end telecoms scenario. With an estimated worth of around One Million USD ($1M), the laboratory is fully set for learning purposes.”

“This ultra-modern telecommunication equipment laboratory is put in place to train and equip Nigerians with relevant ICT skills for the 21st century to tackle challenges…Each equipment has elements that incorporate the skill development needed for modern telecom industry. From operating complex troubleshooting, the embedded learning systems deliver job-ready skills for the telecoms sector.” Dr. Adinde added.

Speaking on the economic and social benefits of such a facility, Dr. Adinde added that “ICT technical education and training hold an important key to our development aspirations as a country…for sustainable development to take place, significant investment must be made in increasing skills of the workforce of the nation.” He expressed that this laboratory donated by Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited is necessary for providing skills for young people to fulfil their career dreams by acquiring relevant industry-ready skills.

Also speaking at the commissioning was Mr. Kelvin (Yang Yang), Deputy Managing Director, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, who expressed the company’s pleasure to seeing increasing ICT developments in Nigeria. “As a global leader in providing leading ICT solutions and innovations, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited is committed to seeing high-tech facilities and operations in the world, especially Nigeria.” Mr. Kelvin said.

Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited has been a key player in consistently contributing significantly to the growth and development of ICT in Nigeria over the years. This is attestable with its CSR programs such as ICT for Change which has been focused on training thousands of Nigerian youths and civil servants across the nation in the last four years. The company’s flagship global CSR program, Seeds for the future, focuses on providing world class ICT training to Nigerian students with a fully funded trip to China to experience global trainings and facility tours. Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited has also been committed to enhancing rural connectivity across Nigeria to aid broadband and mobile penetration to unreached regions.

Noting the significant contribution of the company to ICT growth and development in Nigeria, Dr. Ike Adinde, Administrator, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) stated that “today is the best day in the Digital Bridge Institute as we commission this global telecommunications laboratory. I must say that the Nigerian government recognizes all that Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited has been doing and appreciates its consistent efforts towards driving ICT development in Nigeria.”

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