Jigawa State ICT and Digital Economy

My fellow beloved citizens of Jigawa State. Today’s inauguration marks the beginning of a new dawn for our dear State for which we express our utmost gratitude to Allah, the Most Beneficent and Most Merciful, Al-Fattah - Malikui-Mulk, Dhul Jalali Wal Ikram - The Giver of Victory, The Owner of Sovereignty, The Lord of Majesty, and Generosity. It is with His special grace that we are alive, healthy, and present to witness the proceedings of this very auspicious day in the historical development of our dear State. The day we are assuming the mantle of leadership of our dear State with my humble self as the 5th democratically elected Governor and the 2nd under our great party, the All-Progressive Congress. Our victory and the victory of our great party at both the State and Federal level elections is a victory for democracy, for the progressives and for a united Jigawa State and a united Nigeria. It is a Victory for Greater Jigawa. We profoundly thank Allah (SWT) for the resounding victories. By this, the people of Nigeria and indeed, the People of Jigawa State; have sent a clear message of their satisfaction with the gradual, but undoubtedly positive, transformations taking place under our great party, the APC. We profoundly thank the good people of Jigawa State and Nigeria in general for the confidence reposed in us and our party by entrusting us with the mandate to continue to govern, to manage your affairs and resources, to steer the ship of state and to sustain and improve on the momentum of ongoing transformations taking place across the length and breadth of our dear State and the Nation in general.

Jigawa State Broadband Plan is a comprehensive plan aimed at bridging the digital divide and fostering a digitally inclusive society (Broadband meaning). The state has made significant progress in broadband penetration, as at Oct 2022, broadband penetration in the state stands at 25%, showcasing the increase in availability and accessibility of high-speed internet services. it is worthy to note there exist unserved and underserved areas within the state that need access to broadband services. This document consists of four pillars that collectively form the foundation for the State Broadband Plan, that guide its strategic approach to achieve widespread broadband penetration, economic growth and improved quality of life for the residents of the State

Jigawa State from its creation from Kano State in 1991 had always sought to create a new future for the citizens and economy, hence the slogan: 'A New World' to reflect this vision. The Present administration led by His Excellency, Badaru Abubakar, is seeking to extend this vision by developing plans and strategies to prepare the Jigawa State for the Digital Economy and the global 4 Industrial Revolution (4IR). At digital economy age, creating a new world and future for Jigawa State requires the Government to position digital at the core of its developmental reforms, plans and strategies; provide enabling environment for itself to first digitally transform and get digital transformation to effectively take off. The Jigawa State as part of the Federating Unit is taking after the Federal Government of Nigeria in its digital transformation efforts. The State, with the support of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is the first to adopt and adapt the Nigeria e-Government Master Plan.

The Advocacy Plan for the Adoption of the Digital Jobs Playbook is a comprehensive roadmap for leveraging digital transformation to drive economic growth and development in Jigawa State. In an increasingly interconnected world, digital innovation has become a catalyst for progress, and this document serves as a guide toward achieving a digitally empowered citizenry. The purpose of this advocacy plan is to harness the potential of digital technologies and initiatives to create new job opportunities, enhance efficiency and improve the quality of life of the citizens. Embracing digital transformation will position the state as a hub for innovation, job creation, and sustainable development. In today's global economy, access to digital infrastructure, digital skills, and innovative digital solutions is paramount as it unlocks new avenues for economic diversification, attraction of investments, and increase in competitiveness. Throughout the development of this Advocacy Action Plan, we actively engaged stakeholders from the government, private sector, academia, and civil society. Their input ensured a comprehensive and inclusive approach and was also integral in shaping the strategies and initiatives expressed in the draft document

The executive summary provides an overview of the comprehensive implementation framework for e-government tools in Jigawa state and includes technology tools for Government-to-Government (G2G), Government-to-Business (G2B), and Government-to-Citizen (G2C). E-government tools refer to technology solutions and platforms the government uses to improve governance, streamline service delivery and encourage citizen engagement

That we would collaborate with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to implement the State ICT Master Plan, promote e-governance, and the gradual emergence of the digital economy. Part of our resolve in this respect is to ensure that Jigawa State reaps the dividends of the fourth industrial revolution through the vigorous pursuit of innovation and technology

This draft Action Plan for Policy and Regulatory Reforms on Right-of-Way (RoW) in Jigawa State outlines the vision and mission to reduce the cost of internet Right– of–Way (RoW) and foster affordable and inclusive connectivity for all. The action plan objectives include expanding broadband access, enhancing affordability, promoting capacity building and digital skills development, establishing favorable policies and regulatory frameworks, and encouraging collaboration and partnerships. In achieving these objectives, the aim is to create a scenario where affordable and accessible internet connectivity is available to all, breaking down barriers and ensuring inclusivity in the digital world. This action plan identifies key stakeholders, suggests institutional arrangements, and outlines a timeline for implementation over the next 1-5 years. The action plan takes cognizance of the numerous opportunities associated with the reduction of Right-of-WAY costs, such as job creation, economic growth, social well-being, increased revenue generation, smart agriculture, productivity enhancement, social inclusion, creation of new market value chains, and attraction of investors. To mitigate potential risks, strategies have been identified such as cost reduction of Right-of-Way, increased infrastructure development, and faster deployment. These strategies are aimed at addressing challenges such as insufficient power supply, potential revenue loss, unequal distribution of access to broadband connectivity, and job opportunities. Key performance indicators to measure progress, including internet access across the state, broadband penetration rates, number of jobs created, and increased digital literacy levels over a period of 2(two) years have been effectively identified. By implementing this action plan, the primary goal is to establish an environment that nurtures affordable and all-encompassing connectivity, leading to economic growth, increased job opportunities, enhanced digital literacy, and greater social inclusion. Through collaboration with stakeholders and the adoption of favorable policies, the state strives to ensure that affordable and accessible internet connectivity becomes a reality for all