Bauchi State has set its sights on becoming a leading hub for digital innovation in Northern Nigeria with the official launch of the Digital Literacy and Skills Framework (DL4ALL Bauchi Initiative), a bold programme designed to bridge the digital skills gap and prepare citizens for the demands of the 21st-century economy.
The flagship initiative, implemented through the State’s Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to equip youths, artisans, civil servants, and students with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.
Speaking at the launch, Governor Bala Mohammed described digital literacy as “a fundamental right for all citizens” and framed the programme as a core part of his administration’s vision to open up opportunities, tackle poverty, and position Bauchi as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
“Technology and innovation are the fastest-growing industries in the world,” the Governor said. “With the right skills, people can now create sustainable value from anywhere, even from their own homes. This is how we will empower our youth, strengthen institutions, and enable our entrepreneurs to succeed globally. Beyond digital literacy, we are committed to producing an army of experts in advanced digital skills who will drive innovation and economic diversification.”
The Governor stressed that the end goal is to create “productive jobs that provide lasting value, fight poverty, and restore dignity,” noting that his administration has invested heavily over the past six years in infrastructure to connect the state’s youthful population to global markets.
Representing NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director of the DG’s Office, Dr. Ayodeji Eniola, praised Bauchi for “taking a bold step towards ensuring the state is not left behind in the ongoing global digital revolution.”
He said the initiative aligns with both NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 and the National Digital Literacy Framework, which focuses on six key competencies: device and software operation, information and data literacy, digital content creation, communication and collaboration, safety, and problem-solving.
The DL4ALL Bauchi Initiative is anchored on three core programmes:
- The Informal Sector Programme, which equips artisans, traders, and other informal workers with practical digital skills. In partnership with the National Youth Service Corps, NITDA has already trained 7,101 Digital Literacy Champions who have reached over 267,000 Nigerians, with a target of 30 million by 2027.
- The Workforce Readiness Programme, which targets public servants, graduates, and job seekers with employability and productivity skills, with a nationwide target of five million workers in collaboration with partners like Cisco and the Office of the Head of Service.
- The Educational Sector Programme, which integrates digital literacy into school curricula, starting with the rollout of a Basic Education Digital Skills Curriculum in September 2025 and training for 3,600 teachers nationwide.
Highlighting Nigeria’s young population as the nation’s greatest asset, Inuwa said: “With Bauchi’s abundant human capital and strategic position in northern Nigeria, the state has enormous potential to become a hub for digital innovation and economic transformation.”
For Malam Hayatudeen Babamaji, Director General of the Bauchi State Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy, the event was more than a programme launch, it was a declaration of intent. “This is not just about launching a programme, but about setting a bold agenda for the digital future of Bauchi State,” he said, pledging to make the state a high-security digital hub that generates jobs and revenue through technology-driven growth.
He described the launch as a “historic step towards building a secure, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy” that will create opportunities and narrow the technology gap.
The event drew senior government officials, technology leaders, development partners, and lawmakers, marking a milestone in Bauchi’s push to cement its place in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
