Zamfara State has made a historic leap towards digital inclusion, becoming the first state in Nigeria to formally adopt a Digital Literacy Framework (ZDLF), aimed at equipping its citizens with vital digital skills for inclusive economic growth, e-governance, and innovation.
The landmark initiative was unveiled during a high-level stakeholder engagement held at Garba Nadama Hall, JB Yakubu Secretariat, Gusau, where Governor Dauda Lawal described the framework as a “bold roadmap to a digitally inclusive future.”
According to a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the event brought together representatives from key federal agencies, development partners, lawmakers, academia, and private sector stakeholders to review and refine the draft framework.
“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,” Governor Lawal said.
He emphasized that the Zamfara Digital Literacy Framework is a strategic response to the urgent need to build the capacity of citizens in a tech-driven world. The framework focuses on embedding digital learning and ICT skills across key sectors — education, public service, and commerce — with a vision to create a state where students, civil servants, and entrepreneurs are digitally empowered.
“We have begun to turn this vision into action,” the Governor said, highlighting an ongoing partnership with Oracle Corporation to train 3,000 youth in Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Database Management. Oracle Academy is also supporting the digital upgrade of Zamfara’s tertiary institutions.
Work is also underway on the Zamfara Institute of Information Technology (ZIIT) in Gusau, envisioned as a regional hub for hands-on ICT education and innovation.
Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis (Zamfara Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications and Digital Economy, commended the state’s digital transformation agenda and donated 300 computers to the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA) to aid the effort.
Dr. Habib Gajam, Executive Secretary of ZITDA, presented an overview of the ZDLF, describing it as a “strategic and people-centred” framework built around four key outcome areas to drive inclusive digital development.
Federal institutions in attendance included the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Zamfara’s bold move positions it as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s digital transformation drive, signaling a new chapter in state-level commitment to technological advancement and human capital development.
