NNEWI THE EMERGING TECH CITY IN ANAMBRA STATE: SPOTLIGHTING NNEWI TECH FACULTY.

Technology is the application of conceptual knowledge for achieving practical goals, especially in a reproducible way. It is the application of scientific knowledge to the practical change and manipulation of the human environment.

The future of organizations stands or falls with the manner in which the organizations implement their (digital) strategy. Everything revolves around the pace of change. Managers, directors and supervisory directors know how essential ‘technology success’ is for the future of their organization.

It is incomprehensible that there is still so little attention for Technology Governance. It is time to think about the most important technological developments in the coming decades. After all, successfully applying and monitoring the correct technologies determines the success and thereby the future.

Technology is reshaping our world, enhancing global connectivity, and revolutionizing businesses, healthcare, and education. It’s creating smarter, sustainable cities and aiding environmental conservation.

From smartphones to smart homes, technology has made our tasks more efficient and convenient, enhancing our overall quality of life. Communication has become faster and more accessible, entertainment is now more immersive and personalized, and health management is more insightful and proactive.

Technology has radically changed society by introducing new devices and habits, digitizing information, and impacting personal interactions, education, communication, financial services, production, logistics, and entertainment.

Tech faculty play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of technologists, engineers, and innovators. They are the educators, mentors, and experts who provide students with the knowledge, skills, and guidance needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving field of technology. Their impact goes beyond the classroom, influencing students’ career choices, research interests, and lifelong learning journeys.

Nnewi is a commercial and industrial city in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. It is the second largest city in Anambra state after Onitsha. Nnewi as a metropolitan area has two local government area, which are Nnewi North and Nnewi South, all centered around the Nnewi town.

For decades, Nnewi is known as the automobile hub of Africa, as the city has so many markets where automobiles are sold both in wholesale and retail.  There are several auto and motorcycle spare parts dealers in Nnewi; the Nnewi Motorcycle spare parts market is well known throughout West Africa. There is also an auto plant, the first of its kind in Nigeria, owned by a Nnewi businessman, Innocent Chukwuma, Ono and a Chinese auto Company.

Nnewi is home to many major indigenous manufacturing industries including Ibeto Group of Companies, Cutix and ADswitch, Uru Industries Ltd, Omata Holdings Ltd, Cento Group of Companies, Coscharis of Companies Group, Innoson Group of Companies, Ebunso Nig. Ltd, John White Industries, Ejiamatu Group of Companies, Chicason Group, Louis Carter Group etc.

As of recent, the economy of Nnewi has begun to diversify into healthcare, entertainment, hospitality and more surprisingly, Tech.

So many tech hubs have gradually sprang up in the different parts of Nnewi with recorded growth in interest and engagement by locals and international technology bodies. The tech industry is fast growing in Nnewi at the moment.

One of the top tech hubs in Nnewi is Nnewi Tech Faculty which offers a wide range of tech courses with a record of approximately 50 active students as at June,2024 and over 100 students that have graduated from the faculty over the years of growth.

Nnewi Tech Faculty was founded by Mr. Bill Nnamdi Achusim.

He began his early trainings inside his father’s sitting room barely two years ago with only few people. Gradually, the impact of his training began to be felt and more people started declaring interest in joining the community-based tech group in the remote Umunnealam village in Umudim, Nnewi.

When awareness about the tech group increased, more people from around Nnewi and beyond were so eager to be part of Tech community but they were poised with a big challenge which was distance. The location was too far from the city center.

Bill’s father also took notice of the gradually increasing number of students, storming his residence because his sitting room was beginning to not contain them. It became obvious that the fast-growing tech community would outgrow the space in the nearest future and that the place is far and not easily accessible to many others whom had indicated interest in what will be called a Tech Revolution in Nnewi. So, he suggested to the son to begin to search for a larger space in the center where everybody can easily access.

In the process expanding the tech community by looking for a space to be converted to a tech hub in the city center, the name Nnewi Tech Faculty came about.

Nnewi Tech Faculty now have their location at Nnewi Digital Village, located at No. 1 St. Peter Claver Rd. Okpuno Nnewichi, Nnewi.

After getting a space at the city center, the hub kept on growing tremendously. From one flat, they increased to two flats since the first could not contain them anymore. That was a huge surprise to many who initially thought that tech could not work in Nnewi.

From offering tech courses like Coding, Web Development, Mobile App Development, UI/UX, they went ahead to include other tech skills like Cybersecurity, Data Science, Data Analysis etc. They also offered digital skills Trainings on Video Editing, Social Media Management, Social Media Marketing, Content creation etc. as people started showing interest in learning digital skills too.

As at June, 2024 Nnewi Tech Faculty has approximately 50 active students and that excludes hundreds of students that have graduated from the faculty over the period, they moved to the city centre.

Anambra State Government under Governor Charles Soludo’s Solution Innovative District (SID) platform, partnered with Nnewi Tech Faculty in tech and digital matters.

Mr. Kene Mkparu, the CEO of Komworld Entertainment Centre, which is building the biggest cinema in Africa right in Nnewi, Anambra state, also has visited Nnewi Tech Faculty for possible partnership on Tech matters.

Nnewi Tech Faculty also started up a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Robotics classes for kids to develop their key skills including problem solving, creativity, critical analysis, Teamwork, independent thinking, initiative, communication, digital literacy. The continual advances in technology are changing the way students learn, connect and interact every day. Skills developed by students through STEM provide them with the foundation to succeed at school and beyond.

Employer demand for STEM qualifications and skills is high, and will continue to increase in the future. Currently, 75 per cent of jobs in the fastest growing industries require workers with STEM skills.

Nnewi Tech Faculty have a community style of learning which ensures faster and quality learning process. They have over 70 registered students and a diverse range of mentors mostly from or living in Nnewi.

They are also working with Nnewi business owners and the general commerce community to match the commercial success of Nnewi with technology. To achieve that, they are working on several software and applications that will provide indigenous solutions in Nnewi and Anambra state.

For any enquiries regarding the Nnewi Tech Faculty, visit their website www.nnewitech.com