In a significant stride towards regional integration and digital empowerment, the Governments of Niger and Nasarawa States have officially launched a collaborative initiative called NINATECH, a Smart Skills Development Programme aimed at equipping at least 10,000 citizens across both states with advanced digital skills by 2027.
The partnership was formed from shared aspirations between the Ministry of Communications Technology and Digital Economy, Niger State, led by Honourable Commissioner Suleiman Isah, and the Nasarawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (NASITDEA), under the leadership of Director General Haruna Sani Sani.
This historic alliance follows the establishment of NASITDEA two years ago by Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule, and the creation of Niger State’s Communications Ministry under Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago — both indicating strong political will to transform their states into digitally competitive economies.
NINATECH aims to address a critical gap in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem by concentrating on four high-impact areas.
Cybersecurity: Arming participants with the knowledge and tools to defend digital infrastructure and mitigate cyber threats affecting individuals, businesses, and government entities.
Digital Forensics: Building the capacity to investigate, trace, and respond to cyber incidents through digital evidence analysis — an essential skill in law enforcement and private sector compliance.
Digital Entrepreneurship: Nurturing the next generation of tech-driven entrepreneurs by offering the knowledge, mentorship, and market access needed to launch and scale digital ventures.
Data Science:
Empowering citizens to utilise data for decision-making, predictive analytics, and the development of intelligent solutions across sectors.
In addition to technical training, the initiative includes a strong focus on employability and real-world integration. The programme is already seeking strategic partnerships with local and international organisations to offer internships, job placements, and remote work opportunities for successful trainees. This is to ensure that training is not an end in itself, but a bridge to meaningful economic participation.
“This programme will not only enhance employability but also foster entrepreneurship and economic growth in our states,” said Suleiman Isah, Commissioner for Communications Technology and Digital Economy, Niger State. “It demonstrates how states can leverage synergy, innovation, and resource-sharing to solve pressing challenges.”
“We are excited to partner with Niger State on this initiative, which will empower our citizens with the digital skills needed to thrive in today’s economy,” added Haruna Sani Sani, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NASITDEA.
This partnership is particularly noteworthy because it precedes the formal launch of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), which was created to address developmental disparities across the region.
By taking initiative independently, Niger and Nasarawa are setting a powerful precedent for what sub-national collaboration can look like in a federal system.
Rather than wait for direction or funding from the Federal Government, both states are proactively forging solutions, building capacity, and reducing duplication by pooling resources, aligning strategies, and sharing infrastructure.
This model of cooperative federalism stands in contrast to the siloed approach that has long slowed development in Nigeria’s sub-national units.
The NINATECH programme also highlights a growing realisation that digital transformation is not just a federal agenda, but one that must be driven at the grassroots level, led by local actors with a deep understanding of their community’s needs. By focusing on youth, women, and underserved populations, the programme also supports broader national aims of inclusion, security, and economic diversification.
Furthermore, with the increase in cybercrime, digital unemployment, and the necessity for secure digital infrastructure, initiatives like NINATECH are vital for nation-building and regional stability.
By promoting a digitally literate and cyber-resilient workforce, Niger and Nasarawa are not only preparing their citizens for the jobs of the future but also establishing the groundwork for sustainable digital economies.
As Nigeria progresses into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the NINATECH collaboration serves as a shining example of what happens when vision is matched with action, and when neighbours opt for cooperation rather than competition.
