Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna has expressed optimism that the state would soon become a hub of information and communication technology, ICT, in the country.
Mr Sani expressed this optimism at stakeholders’ engagement on the draft national digital economy and e-governance bill, organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in Kaduna on Thursday.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Business, Innovation, and Technology, Patience Fakai, said his administration has collaborated with Data Science Nigeria,DSN, and google.org , Arewa Ladies4Tech to train over 5000 women across the state in ICT.
“As a result, most of these ladies have become gainfully employed, some internationally, which they work from the comfort of their homes,” he said.
According to him, the state has launched the AI4All, an initiative meant to bring AI to Hausa speakers across Nigeria and beyond, through a series of short lessons on AI in Hausa language which are downloadable from the NITDA site and shareable with others by phone.’
Mr Sani, who said that mainstreaming technology is one of his government’s agendas, stressed that the AI initiative in vernacular is the first of its kind in Africa.
He also said that the state has partnered with Greysoft Technologies to bring young innovators to produce tech-products for agriculture under the auspices of AgricTech Hackathon.
The governor noted that the draft National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill marks a significant step forward in harnessing the power of technology to drive economic growth and improve governance.
Mr Sani also said that the digital economy was no longer a niche sector because it is the future.
“The bill aims to create a comprehensive framework for the development and regulation of our digital economy, ensuring that we remain competitive in the global digital landscape,” he added.
