By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi said that his administration has in it’s efforts to eliminate barriers to high-speed internet penetration, approved a zero -right-of-way or charge on broadband development in the state.
He explained that the elimination of those barriers is a clear indication to telecommunication companies and internet service providers to directly invest in Bauchi and crack their fibre optics across the state communities and connect them to the world at zaro cost.
The Governor at first Cyber Nation’s graduation ceremony held in Bauchi Tuesday, observed that the commitment has placed the state as a front-runner of subnational innovation, whether on the floor of National Council on Economy,
National Council of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy within the benchmarks of the Nigerian Governors Forum.
He added, “Through the Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy, our administration continues to strengthen digital governance, improve ICT infrastructure, expand digital skills, and support the growth of our technology ecosystem. Support of the growth of our technology ecosystem while encouraging the adoption of digital solutions across government institutions”.
Governor Bala stated that his administration recognized that digital transformation is a continuous process which requires collaboration among governments, the private sector, educational institutions, technology professionals, and the citizens who ultimately benefit from these initiatives.
According to him, the objective is to build a Bauchi state in which technology serves as a practical instrument for development, inclusion, efficiency, and economic diversification, recalling that at its launch in September 2025 as the first program of its kind in Nigeria and only second on the African continent, the objective was to provide Bauchi youth with relevant internationally recognized cyber-security skills that could prepare them for opportunities in an increasingly connected world.
“True leadership requires foresight, and true development requires strategic investment. This is why our administration made a deliberate, bold commitment by investing actively into the Cyber Nations program. To the critics, this was a cost. To us, this was a seed. We fully anticipated that the returns on this investment would yield multiple times its value”.
“These returns will not be judged by measured in financial balance sheets, but in the invaluable competencies, innovative tech solutions, and intellectual property derived from our youth. Bauchi State is shifting from a consumer of technology to a producer of intellectual property. However, training our youth is only half the battle. Securing their future is the ultimate victory”
Mohammed further explained that through this arrangement, the state government has ensured that at least 80 percent of these graduates will be carefully placed in employment, telling them”You are seals are in high demand, and we have already built a bridge to connect you directly to global opportunities”.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Director-General of Bauchi State Bureau for ICT, Malam Hayatuddeen Babamaji told the over 100 first batch Cyber Nations graduates that the future will continue to be shaped by artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics, software development, and other emerging technologies.
He told the graduates, “From this point forward, the responsibility increasingly rests with you. The certificate you will receive today is important, but discipline, integrity, willingness to continue learning, and ability to turn knowledge into practical solutions will help define our professional future. Above all, remember that the cybersecurity knowledge career carries a responsibility to act ethically and lawfully”.
Malam Hayatuddeen Babamaji told the graduates to use their skills to protect systems, safeguard information, and support people and institutions that defend the state digital technology, and not limit their ambition by geography, pursue success, suitable opportunities wherever they exist, while remaining proud of their roots and conscious of the contribution they can make to Bauchi State.
Babamaji concluded, “You are not simply graduates of CyberNation; you are ambassadors of Bauchi State’s digital future. Wherever your career takes you, carry the name of Bauchi State with pride. Create value through your work and when you are able to help those or others coming behind you”
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