Nation’s Security: FG launches lab for startups, IT equipment
Director-General/CEO of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi
The Federal Government has launched the first digital fabrication laboratory (FABLAB) Abuja 1.0 that would enable the country fabricate different IT equipment that could be used to improve the nation’s security and defence.
The FABLAB where drones and bomb detecting vehicles could be fabricated would be extended to other parts of the country as plans are being made to upgrade and equip the existing IT hubs and innovation labs to the same standard.
Speaking during the commissioning of the lab yesterday, in Abuja, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, said the FABLAB is part of the agency’s effort to make Nigeria an innovation hub in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).
Abdullahi observed that the FABLAB has state-of-the-art equipment that include Printed Circuit Board (PCB) production equipment, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, 3D printers, servers, Graphics processing units (GPUs), and other things.
According to him, the fabrication lab would encourage all digital innovators and makers to drive their ideas from inception to impact.
“The FABLAB maintains an open access policy to allow it to serve as a digital innovation accelerator for all innovators and makers. It allows open-production and public access to aid innovation and entrepreneurship activities,” he added.
Abdullahi noted that the centre engages in hands-on digital fabrication, skills training, and capacity building for both in-house staff and external participants in line with its policies.
According to him, to further boost digital innovation awareness among Nigerian youths, visitation, and tour of the lab facility by schools, universities, and research centres are encouraged.
