I am deeply humbled and honoured to share that I have been named among Nigeria’s Top 50 Most Valuable Personalities in the Digital Economy for 2025, by IT Edge News Africa. This recognition reflects not only personal effort, but the collective work of my team, the Ministry of Communications Technology & Digital Economy of Niger State, and all those who have supported and believed in the vision of a digitally transformed, inclusive Niger State
What the Honour Means to Me
Being part of the 50MVPs is not just an accolade; it’s a call to deepen impact. It means that the innovations, changes, and reforms we’ve initiated are being noticed nationally. It means that when we talk about digital governance, inclusion, broadband connectivity, and technological infrastructure — our work is contributing toward real, measurable progress in Nigeria’s digital economy. This award strengthens my resolve to ensure no one in Niger State is left behind in the digital transformation.
Key Achievements Leading to This Recognition
Over the earlier part of my tenure, we have rolled out a number of initiatives that have helped position Niger State among leaders in digital economy reforms. Some of the notable actions include:
- Unified Health Card Implementation: Digitising patient record management across 23 secondary health facilities, thereby eliminating fragmented medical records and delays in healthcare delivery.
- AI-Monitored Home-Based Exams: Simplifying civil service recruitment by allowing home-based examinations monitored by AI. This has reduced travel burdens for candidates and made access more equitable.
- Abolition of Fibre Optic Right-of-Way Charges: By removing these burdensome charges, we’ve made Niger State more attractive for broadband infrastructure investment — accelerating connectivity across the state.
- Women & Youth Empowerment in Tech: Launching programmes such as TechSis and working with organizations like AWITS to boost female participation in the technology sector; training artisans, market traders, and young people in e-commerce, coding, robotics and other digital skills.
- Modernisation of Public Service Systems: Digitizing revenue collection, introducing self-service systems, streamlining payroll to reduce waste (including identifying and removing ghost workers), and deploying technology in government operations to increase efficiency and transparency.
How We Are Building on This Momentum
This recognition is not an end in itself. It is a stepping stone to bigger goals. Here’s how I plan to build on it:
- Scaling Digital Infrastructure
Expanding broadband, improving fiber infrastructure, and ensuring connecting all wards and LGAs with reliable internet access remain priorities. - Deepening Access & Inclusion
Ensuring that women, rural communities, and underserved groups benefit from digital skills training, access to government services, and innovation platforms. - Promoting Innovation Culture
Encouraging youth hubs, startup incubators, and also supporting public-private partnerships to foster local innovation. - Strengthening Digital Governance
Applying technology in governance — for example, using AI, data, geospatial tools, and open data policies — to make decision-making more transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric. - Sustainability & Institutionalisation
Ensuring the reforms are embedded in laws, policies, and structures so that even beyond current administration, the work continues and grows.
Reflections on Leadership and Digital Renewal
I often think about what it means to lead in this era. It’s no longer enough to plan; one must execute fast, adapt, and always keep the people at the center. Digital economy is not just about technology; it’s about dignity, opportunity, inclusion. When someone can apply for a job remotely, access health records digitally, or do business online from their home in a rural community, that’s when the promise of digital transformation becomes real.
I also am mindful of collaboration — with federal agencies, private sector, civil society, international partners, academic institutions. No single actor can build a digital economy alone. This recognition belongs as much to all those partners as it does to me.
Thank You & Moving Forward
I express my profound gratitude to the organisers — IT Edge News Africa, Digital Realty Nigeria, and all stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem — for this honour. I thank Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the people and government of Niger State, and our staff for their dedication.
As we move forward, I am more determined than ever: to scale what works, learn from what doesn’t, and keep pushing for a Niger State where technology elevates lives, where opportunities are digital and inclusive, and where innovation is rooted in service.
