By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
Gombe State has officially embarked on a transformative journey toward a paperless, technology-driven administration, as the Gombe State Information Technology and Digital Economy Commission (GOSIDEC) launched a comprehensive digital literacy training program in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The initiative, which marks a significant departure from traditional administrative workflows, aims to equip the state’s workforce with the essential technical skills required to foster an efficient, transparent, and citizens-centered e-governance system.
Representing the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njoɗi, the Head of Civil Service, Professor Mu’azu Shehu, formally flagged off the training by delivering a keynote address on “Digital Transformation in the Civil Service.”
Professor Shehu lauded the collaborative effort, emphasizing that digital transformation is a global necessity.
He stated that “With technology, issues are solved efficiently and conveniently; if we adopt it, it shall improve our service delivery and accountability in governance, while building our resilience against corruption, indolence, and the challenge of ghost workers.”
He reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to fostering a mindset shift, moving away from legacy paper-based systems to a more productive, digital-first work environment.
In his welcome remarks, the Director-General of GOSIDEC, Dr. Al-amin Barambu, hailed the partnership as a milestone in the state’s developmental trajectory.
“This is a great milestone towards building a digitally sound state workforce,” Dr. Barambu stated, while commending NITDA for their technical support.
He emphasized that the initiative serves as a catalyst for replacing cumbersome paper-based processes with a more flexible, modern e-governance framework.
He urged the civil servants to embrace the opportunity to upgrade their professional capabilities, noting that the acquisition of these skills is vital for career advancement in today’s world.
The urgency of the training was further underscored by Hajiya Hauwa Muhammad, Acting Director of Strategy and Communication at the State Bureau for Public Service Reform.
She noted that the program reflects Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s unwavering commitment to aligning Gombe’s civil service with global standards.
“Digital literacy is no longer an option, it is imperative for every civil servant to provide quality service to the people,” she asserted.
Calling the training a timely intervention, she challenged the participants to act as “digital literacy ambassadors” by stepping down the knowledge gained to their colleagues across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure a widespread institutional shift.
Providing a technical perspective, Engineer Yakubu Musa of NITDA highlighted the national context of the training, revealing that with only 44 percent of Nigerians currently digitally literate, there is a critical need to bridge the gap.
“We are focusing on computer software and hardware, a development that can not only improve the digital economy but security as well,” Engineer Musa explained.
He noted that Gombe State holds the distinction of being the first in Nigeria to host this specific training for civil servants following its national launch, signaling a proactive approach to human capital development.
The sentiment was echoed by the participants, who expressed enthusiasm for the new skills being introduced.
Speaking on behalf of the cohort, several civil servants described the training as a deserving and timely investment in their professional development.
They noted that the program would effectively equip them with the modern best practices needed to discharge their official duties with greater precision and speed.