Katsina Times | April 16, 2026
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has pledged to establish an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) laboratory at the Federal University of Technology Ilaro (FUTI), Ogun State.
Radda said the initiative was part of efforts to strengthen digital skills development and promote innovation among Nigerian students.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula, disclosed this in a statement issued in Katsina, noting that the commitment was made on Tuesday during the institution’s 23rd convocation lecture.
According to him, the governor, represented by his deputy, Faruq Lawal-Jobe, delivered a lecture titled, “Digital Literacy: Fundamental Skills and Job Creation Tools for Graduands in the 21st Century.”
Kaula added that Radda, who was also conferred with a fellowship award by the university, described the honour as a call to greater responsibility.
The governor dedicated the recognition to the people of Katsina State and Nigerians at large, saying their continued support inspires his commitment to public service.
“I commit to using this honour to drive positive change and knowledge sharing,” he said.
Radda emphasised that digital literacy has become a critical tool for young Nigerians seeking meaningful employment and economic relevance in a rapidly evolving global economy.
He noted that Nigeria’s population of over 200 million represents a vast pool of human capital that could be transformed into economic strength through strategic investment in digital education.
Highlighting the country’s growing technology ecosystem, the governor said Nigeria ranks among Africa’s leading hubs for unicorn startups, demonstrating its capacity to compete globally.
He urged graduating students to adapt to the changing nature of work driven by technological advancement, explaining the transition from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR).
According to him, while automation and artificial intelligence under 4IR displaced millions of jobs globally, they also created more opportunities, resulting in a net gain.
Radda explained that the emerging 5IR era places greater emphasis on human-machine collaboration, creativity, empathy and innovation.
At the state level, he highlighted the Katsina Youth Craft Village as a key initiative aimed at promoting skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and innovation among young people.
“The government provides the infrastructure for the digital economy, but individuals and institutions must take responsibility for acquiring and applying the necessary skills,” he added.
The governor called on all tiers of government, the private sector and development partners to scale up investment in digital education and youth empowerment as a pathway to economic growth.
He also commended the university’s transformation from a polytechnic to a full-fledged institution, describing it as a significant milestone in expanding access to quality technical education in Nigeria.
NAN
