By James Ishaku
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Jigawa State Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, has organised a Sub-National Engagement and IT Ecosystem Development Programme in Dutse, bringing together stakeholders from government, private sector, academia, and development partners to drive innovation and accelerate Jigawa’s digital transformation.
Themed “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries Towards Digitalisation and Entrepreneurial Evolution,” the programme served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and policy alignment between the federal and state governments, industry players, and innovators.
Representing NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, the Director DG’s Office, Dr. Ayodeji Eniola, restated the Agency’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all communities benefit from Nigeria’s digital drive.
According to Inuwa, the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) is already being implemented, with targets of 70 percent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 percent by 2030, covering public and private sector employees, informal sector operators, and students.
“As we navigate digitalisation and entrepreneurial evolution, NITDA stands as a beacon of guidance,” Inuwa said. “We are committed to providing an enabling environment, frameworks of support, and platforms for collaboration that empower stakeholders to be catalysts of change. Our doors are open to partnerships that will pave the way for a digitally empowered future.”
He underscored NITDA’s innovation focused interventions, pointing to the creation of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR). These institutions, he explained, have nurtured startups through incubation and acceleration schemes while also training students in cutting-edge fields. According to him, NCAIR alone has equipped more than 3,000 Nigerians with skills in emerging technologies, offering programmes ranging from the STEM Bootcamp for Kids to Virtual and Augmented Reality training and the Artificial Intelligence Developers Group.
Inuwa further explained that the Jigawa engagement was tailored to reflect NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), with a focus on introducing state specific programmes and creating a lasting model of partnership anchored on regular feedback and knowledge exchange.
Delivering a keynote address, the Director General of the Jigawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency, Dr. Muhammad Hassan, described Jigawa as a pioneer in ICT development in Nigeria. He lauded Governor Mallam Umar Namadi for providing a supportive environment for technology-driven governance and human capital development, while commending NITDA for its collaboration.
“This conversation is a clear testimony that Jigawa State is not only participating in the digital journey, it is a leader and a point of reference,” Dr. Hassan declared. “As the pioneer DG of Jigawa’s newly established ICT and Digital Economy Agency, I assure you that this government is determined to provide leadership, to translate today’s discussions into actionable steps, and to ensure that Jigawa is not left behind in this era of digital transformation.”
The engagement concluded with a collective call for synergy between federal and state institutions, the private sector, and development partners to deepen digital inclusion, create jobs, and unlock new markets in Jigawa and across Nigeria.
Stakeholders agreed that with its youthful population and strong history of ICT leadership, Jigawa is well-positioned to serve as a model for digital economy development in the country.
