When we speak of digital transformation, it’s easy to imagine high-tech offices and software startups. But for me, digital transformation starts with the ordinary Nigerian—the market woman in Kpakungu, the vulcanizer in Maitumbi, the tailor in Tunga.
These are the people who form the heartbeat of our local economy. And if we are serious about building a truly inclusive and economically vibrant Niger State, then they must be digitally included, empowered, and heard.
This belief led to a personal commitment: to ensure that digital literacy doesn’t begin and end in government offices or tech hubs, but reaches the grassroots—where it matters most.
Chanchaga: Where the Digital Journey Began
Our journey began in Chanchaga Local Government, where the Ministry of Communications Technology and Digital Economy—under the visionary directive of His Excellency, the Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago—successfully trained 2,000 market traders and artisans in practical digital skills.
This was not your typical tech training. We weren’t teaching code or algorithms—we were teaching how to use smartphones to grow a business, how to promote products using WhatsApp and Facebook, how to receive payments through mobile banking, and most importantly, how to trust and navigate the digital space safely.
We delivered the training in Hausa and Pidgin, because true inclusion means speaking the language of the people. It wasn’t just a class; it was a conversation—and it was powerful.
Empowering Women at the Center of It All
One of the most inspiring outcomes of this initiative was that over 65% of the beneficiaries were women. Mothers. Entrepreneurs. Hustlers. These women now walk away with not just smartphones, but new opportunities—new ways to reach customers, boost income, and improve their families’ futures.
For me, this isn’t just policy—it’s personal. When you empower a woman digitally, you empower an entire community.
One Smartphone, Thousands of Possibilities
To many, a smartphone is a gadget. But to our traders and artisans, it’s a lifeline. It’s marketing. It’s banking. It’s logistics. And now, it’s a source of pride.
This training is proof that digital tools can be democratized—that they don’t belong only in urban boardrooms but also in the hands of our grassroots entrepreneurs.
A Vision Rooted in Inclusion
This pilot phase in Chanchaga is only the beginning. My vision—and the vision we are building under the New Niger Agenda—is clear:
- That every local government in Niger State becomes a hub of digitally literate citizens
- That no farmer, trader, or artisan is excluded from the opportunities of the digital age
- That technology becomes a tool of economic liberation, not intimidation
We are redefining what it means to go digital—not from the top down, but from the ground up.
What Comes Next?
This program will scale. We will take it to Bida, Kontagora, Suleja, Rijau, and everywhere in between. We are already designing next-level digital training for youth, civil servants, and the informal sector—with a strong focus on safe digital practices, e-commerce, and local innovation.
I believe that a truly digital state is not built on apps alone—it is built on access, trust, and human capacity. And in Niger State, we are building that capacity—one citizen at a time.
