Anambra State Digital Access and Skills Bill

Purpose

To pair digital infrastructure investment with structured digital-skills training, so connectivity translates into usable capability.

Problem Statement

Connectivity without skills produces underused infrastructure. Many residents and small-business owners lack structured pathways to learn the digital tools that would let them use available connectivity productively.

Legislative Objectives

• Establish public digital centres at priority sites identified under the Digital Infrastructure Bill.
• Deliver structured training in digital literacy, coding, CAD/BIM, accounting software, digital marketing, e-commerce, data analysis, foundational AI and cybersecurity.
• Link digital-skills graduates into the Skills-to-Jobs Programme pipeline.

Definitions

Public Digital Centre

A shared facility providing public access to computers, connectivity and structured digital-skills training.

Proposed Provisions

1. 1.Establishment of public digital centres co-located with priority connectivity sites where feasible.
2. 2.A defined digital-skills curriculum spanning basic literacy through to coding, CAD/BIM, digital marketing, e-commerce, data analysis, AI fundamentals and cybersecurity.
3. 3.Integration with the Technical Skills and Apprenticeship Bill's assessment-to-employment pipeline.

Institutional Responsibilities

• Relevant State ministry responsible for education and digital economy, statewide.
• Vocational-training partners to operate digital centres, with the Office of the Member representing Nnewi South I coordinating local sites.
• Private-sector technology partners as curriculum and instructor partners.

Financing Implications

Delivered through a mix of public-facility co-location (low incremental capital cost), development-partner training grants, and private technology-sector partnerships providing curriculum, equipment or instructors.

Implementation Mechanism

First digital centres piloted in 2028 at connectivity priority sites; curriculum and partnerships established through 2027 in parallel with the Digital Infrastructure Bill rollout.

Monitoring Mechanism

Tracked under the Skills and Digital categories of the Accountability Dashboard: trainees, certifications, and public digital centres operating.

Expected Outcomes

• A structured, accessible path for residents to acquire in-demand digital skills.
• Higher utilisation of connectivity infrastructure built under the Digital Infrastructure Bill.
• A pipeline of digitally skilled workers for local and remote employment opportunities.

Legal Considerations

This proposal is intended to operate within the legislative competence of the Anambra State House of Assembly and in conformity with applicable federal law, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Land Use Act, the Public Procurement Act and relevant sector legislation. Final drafting will be reviewed by legislative counsel prior to introduction.

Public Consultation Status

Not yet opened for formal public consultation. This is a pre-legislative policy proposal, published for public comment ahead of introduction to the Anambra State House of Assembly following the 2027 legislative calendar.

Version History

• v0.1 · 2026-08-01: Initial policy proposal published for public comment.