Gov. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State has unveiled three major initiatives aimed at driving digital transformation, boosting job creation and safeguarding digital rights in the state.
The initiatives are the Digital Literacy and Skills Framework, the CyberNation Programme and the Bauchi State Data Protection Policy.
Mohammed, while launching the programmes on Tuesday at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Bauchi, said they were designed to equip citizens, especially youths, with globally competitive skills, create sustainable employment and protect digital rights.
He described digital literacy as a basic right for all citizens, adding that under his #MyBauchiProject 2.0, job creation would be used as a strategic tool to reduce poverty.
The governor said the Digital Literacy and Skills Framework, developed in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), would train over 100,000 citizens in basic digital skills and 2,000 youths in advanced areas such as software development, cloud computing and data analytics by 2027.
According to him, the Bauchi State Data Protection Policy, developed with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), will ensure compliance with the National Data Protection Act across all ministries, departments and agencies.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of NITDA’s Director-General, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, a representative commended the state for contributing to Nigeria’s target of 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027, describing Bauchi as a model for others.
Protexxa’s Country Representative, Mrs Abi Hafsat Abubakar, said the programme was linked to over 3.5 million global cybersecurity jobs and urged Bauchi youths to embrace it as innovators rather than passive participants.
The Director-General of the Bauchi State Bureau for ICT, Mr Hayatudden Babama’aji, said the three initiatives formed an integrated strategy to build a secure, inclusive and globally competitive digital economy.
