Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has been awarded the prestigious title of Digital Governor of the Year 2024 by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), The Presidency.
The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, accepted the award on behalf of Governor Bago during the Nigeria GOVTECH Public Service Awards 2024, held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja. The event, themed "Digital Innovations as a Catalyst for the Renewed Hope Agenda," celebrated advancements in digital governance.
In his acceptance speech, Deputy Governor Garba emphasized the administration's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance governance and service delivery across all sectors in Niger State. He highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of Communication Technology and Digital Economy and the Agency for Green Initiatives, both pioneering efforts at the sub-national level.
Garba outlined several key achievements in digital literacy under Governor Bago's leadership in 2024. These include training all Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and Special Advisers in IT for improved service delivery, and collaborating with Tech4dev to enhance civil servants' IT skills. Additionally, the state has provided technology training for market traders and artisans in Hausa and Pidgin English, and educated children aged 10 to 18 in robotics, IoT, and programming.
The state has also partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to train SMEs in eCommerce, boosting exports. Journalists have been trained in Open-Source Intelligence to combat fake news, and the "TechSis" initiative has promoted women's participation in technology through various training programs.
Deputy Governor Garba expressed gratitude to the award's sponsors, development partners, and organizers for recognizing Niger State's efforts in public service reforms. He also congratulated other award recipients for their contributions to digital governance in Nigeria.