Zamfara State is set to launch a first-of-its-kind Digital Literacy Framework aimed at equipping its people with essential digital skills to drive inclusive economic growth, e-governance, and innovation.
A high-level stakeholder engagement on the Zamfara Digital Literacy Framework (ZDLF) was held on Wednesday at the Garba Nadama Hall, JB Yakubu Secretariat, Gusau.
A statement by the spokesperson for Zamfara State Governor Sulaiman Bala Idris noted that the engagement brought together key federal institutions, development partners, lawmakers, academia, and private sector stakeholders to review and enrich the draft framework.
Delivering his keynote address, Governor Dauda Lawal described the framework as a bold roadmap toward a digitally inclusive future and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to its full implementation.
He stated:
“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 information and communication technology.
The Zamfara Digital Literacy Framework is a practical and strategic response to the long-standing need to equip our people with the capacity to function and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
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.”
Governor Lawal explained that the framework aims to institutionalize digital learning and ICT integration across the education, public service, and commerce sectors. It envisions a future where every student is digitally competent, every civil servant is equipped with essential ICT skills, and entrepreneurs—including local traders—can expand their businesses and access larger markets through the use of technology.
He highlighted ongoing efforts aligned with this vision, including a partnership with Oracle Corporation to train 3,000 youths in Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Database Management. Through Oracle Academy, tertiary institutions in the state also receive support to produce industry-relevant graduates.
Construction has also commenced on the Zamfara Institute of Information Technology (ZIIT) in Gusau. The governor said the institute will serve as a regional hub of excellence, delivering hands-on ICT education and fostering homegrown innovation to bridge the digital divide and position Zamfara as Northern Nigeria’s emerging ICT center.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada, reiterated Zamfara’s commitment to leading digital transformation in Northern Nigeria.
Delivering a goodwill message, Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis (representing Zamfara Central and Chair of the Senate Committee on Communications and Digital Economy) applauded the initiative, stating that Zamfara was setting the pace at a time when national development depends heavily on digital inclusion. The senator donated 300 computers to ZITDA to support its digital transformation drive across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Providing an overview of the framework, Dr. Habib Gajam, Executive Secretary of the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA), described the ZDLF as a strategic, people-centered document built around four core outcomes.
Federal agencies represented at the engagement included the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSat), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
