The Zamfara State Government says it has trained 150 women in digital skills and empowered them with tools and funding as part of a wider digital transformation drive led by the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency, ZITDA, over the last two years.
The initiative, implemented under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Dauda Lawal, Executive Governor of Zamfara State, is aimed at using technology to improve governance, expand economic opportunities, and promote social inclusion across the state.
ZITDA, under the stewardship of its Executive Secretary, Habib Gajam, Ph.D., has introduced bold reforms, built strategic partnerships, and accelerated the deployment of digital infrastructure, repositioning Zamfara as an emerging digital leader in Nigeria.
Speaking on the progress recorded, the agency said the NCC-ZITDA Women Digital Skills Program trained 150 women, each of whom received an Android device, certification, and a N100,000 startup grant, alongside a special reward package for the best 10 performing participants. According to ZITDA, the programme was designed to help women transition from basic digital literacy to income-generating activities.
In addition to women-focused initiatives, ZITDA disclosed that over 3,000 Zamfara youths have been trained through the Oracle-ZITDA Skills Initiative. The training covered cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and database technologies, while the Oracle Academy programme supported capacity building for faculty members and students in tertiary institutions across the state.
Zamfara also became the first state in Nigeria to launch a comprehensive Zamfara Digital Literacy Framework, ZDLF, targeting youths, women, civil servants, students, entrepreneurs, and the general public. Officials described the framework as a structured approach to ensuring no group is left behind in the digital economy.
As part of institutional reforms, the Zamfara State House of Assembly passed the enabling bill for the establishment of the Zamfara Institute of Information Technology, ZIIT, in October 2025. ZITDA said the institute is envisioned as a world-class ICT education and innovation hub that will support skills development and research.
To strengthen internal capacity, members of the State Executive Council were trained on basic computer operations and Microsoft Office tools to improve digital readiness within government. The agency also trained 30 fellows for a 12-month internship programme under the Nigeria Jubilee Fellowship, in collaboration with the UNDP, covering digital skills, administrative operations, and office management.
ZITDA further organized Experience AI Workshops in collaboration with WOMEN in TECH to introduce artificial intelligence concepts at the public secondary school level. Phase I and Phase II each trained 20 students and five teachers, focusing on foundational AI knowledge, ethical use, and practical exposure.
Reflecting on the journey, ZITDA stated that the last two years have laid a strong digital foundation for Zamfara State, adding that the agency remains committed to expanding digital inclusion, strengthening governance, and driving sustainable development through technology.
ZITDA said, “these investments show our commitment to people-centered innovation and preparing citizens for opportunities in the digital economy statewide.”
