Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a digitally skilled workforce and advancing technology-driven governance to promote sustainable economic growth, innovation and shared prosperity.
Governor Namadi stated this at the graduation ceremony of 928 youths trained in emerging technologies under the World Bank-assisted Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education and facilitated by Baze University, Abuja.
The governor also unveiled the Jigawa State 12-Point Agenda Digital Performance Portal, a platform designed to enhance transparency, accountability and citizen engagement by providing real-time updates on government programmes and projects across the state.
The 928 graduands completed a one-year accredited professional diploma programme in applied artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, business intelligence, data analytics, digital literacy, software engineering, cybersecurity and other market-driven digital skills.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, said in a statement in Dutse that Governor Umar Namadi described the programme as a strategic investment in human capital aimed at strengthening the state’s digital economy through youth empowerment, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He announced that 30 outstanding graduates would receive laptop computers from the state government, while four participants had secured employment with Baze University in recognition of their exceptional performance.
The governor highlighted key digital transformation initiatives of his administration, including the establishment of the Jigawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (JITDA), implementation of the State ICT Master Plan, Community ICT Centres, J-COMPETE, J-UNITE, digital skills development through GLUWA and e-government capacity building for civil servants in partnership with KOICA.
He urged the graduates to apply their newly acquired skills responsibly to drive innovation, create employment opportunities and contribute to the socio-economic development of Jigawa State.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Dr. Moruf Olatunji Alausa, described the graduation as a milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to equip young people with digital and technical skills, while commending Governor Namadi for prioritising youth development and digital education.
Dr. Alausa announced that the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, would soon establish the Digital Training Academy to provide advanced training and certification in emerging technologies.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, also praised the Jigawa State Government’s sustained investment in human capital development, describing both the ICT training programme and the Digital Performance Portal as practical initiatives that promote transparency, accountability and effective public service.
The event attracted representatives of the World Bank-assisted IDEAS Project, Baze University, development partners, senior government officials and other stakeholders.
Usman Muhammed Zaria
