– First State to Adopt Comprehensive Plan for ICT Empowerment
Zamfara State has become the first in Nigeria to formally adopt a Digital Literacy Framework (ZDLF) aimed at equipping citizens with vital digital skills to drive inclusive economic development, enhance e-governance, and foster innovation.
The official unveiling took place during a high-level Stakeholders Engagement Forum held on Wednesday at the Garba Nadama Hall, JB Yakubu Secretariat in Gusau. The event brought together representatives from key federal institutions, development partners, legislators, academia, and the private sector to deliberate and refine the framework.
In his keynote address, Governor Dauda Lawal hailed the initiative as a strategic response to a longstanding developmental challenge. “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey to redefine the developmental pathway of Zamfara State through digital empowerment, innovation, and inclusive access to ICT,” the Governor said.
He emphasized that the framework seeks to institutionalize digital learning and ICT integration across key sectors, ensuring every student is digitally literate, every civil servant possesses core digital skills, and entrepreneurs can leverage technology to scale their businesses.
“As we all know, digital literacy has become critical for productivity, job creation, quality service delivery, and national relevance. We cannot afford to watch our State remain on the margins of a technology-driven global order,” he said.
The governor disclosed that Zamfara has partnered with Oracle Corporation to train 3,000 youths in emerging technologies such as Cloud 2 Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Database Management. He also announced the commencement of work on the Zamfara Institute of Information Technology (ZIIT) in Gusau, envisioned as a regional hub for ICT education and innovation.
In his welcome remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Mallam Abubakar Nakwada, reiterated the administration’s determination to place Zamfara at the forefront of digital transformation in Northern Nigeria.
Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, who represents Zamfara Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Communications and Digital Economy, commended the state’s foresight. “Zamfara is taking the lead at a time when digital inclusion is central to national progress,” he said, announcing the donation of 300 computers to ZITDA in support of the state's digital drive across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Federal digital agencies in attendance included the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Communications Satellite (NigComSat), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
The Zamfara Digital Literacy Framework is expected to serve as a model for other states seeking to harness the benefits of digital transformation for development.
