Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Tuesday unveiled three landmark initiatives designed to accelerate the state’s digital transformation and equip its citizens for a technology-driven economy.
Speaking at the launch event in Bauchi, Mohammed introduced the Digital Literacy and Skills Framework (DL4ALL Bauchi Initiative), the Cyber Nations Programme, and a Data Protection Policy in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
He described the programmes as central to his administration’s development blueprint, My Bauchi Project 2.0, which prioritises digital transformation, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.
“This is more than an education program. It is an empowerment revolution,” Mohammed declared. “We are building a digitally fluent society, transforming our population into a prosperous community ready for the future.”
Digital literacy for 100,000 citizens
The DL4ALL Bauchi Initiative, developed with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will train more than 100,000 citizens in basic digital skills by 2027. It will also provide advanced technical training in high-demand areas such as software development, cloud computing, and data analytics to 2,000 selected youths.
The framework will embed digital education into school curricula and workforce policies, ensuring inclusion for vulnerable communities.
Cybersecurity training with global prospects
Mohammed also launched the Cyber Nations Programme, an intensive cybersecurity initiative developed with Canadian firm Protexxa Inc. The programme will train 500 Bauchi youths as certified cybersecurity experts over the next few years, offering international placements with stipends mainly in foreign currencies.
“We are not only equipping our youths with cutting-edge cybersecurity skills, but we are making Bauchi State a Mecca for cybersecurity and digital expertise,” Mohammed said.
Protexxa’s country representative, Abi-Hafsat Abubakar, described the initiative as a gateway to over 3.5 million global cybersecurity jobs, calling it “the first of its kind in Nigeria and the second in Africa.”
Strengthening data governance
The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Bauchi State Government and the NDPC to ensure compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Act.
Under the agreement, Bauchi will establish a Data Protection Service Unit, promote responsible data use, and foster a culture of privacy and trust in public institutions.
Mohammed hailed the pact as a “solemn pledge to protect the digital rights of our people,” framing the digital push as both an economic and civic transformation for the state.