Borno State says it has established 21 digital literacy centres across 21 of its 27 local government areas, with 24,178 residents enrolled in digital skills programmes and 20,836 completing their training since the initiative began in 2024.

The figures highlight the scale of the state’s effort to expand digital access beyond major urban centres and narrow the technology gap affecting underserved communities.

The initiative, implemented by the Borno State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (BICTDA), has recorded an 86.2% completion rate, with 3,342 enrolled participants yet to complete their programmes.

With six of Borno’s 27 local government areas yet to be covered, the programme currently reaches about 78% of the state’s LGAs.

The initiative has attracted national recognition, with Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) commending BICTDA for its contribution to digital inclusion in the state.

“You are doing a great job. I have been seeing your footprints,” the NITDA DG told BICTDA during an engagement at GITEX Nigeria.

21 centres cover 21 LGAs

BICTDA’s digital literacy programme is designed to decentralise access to technology by establishing facilities at community level rather than concentrating digital resources in major cities.

The 21 centres provide access to computers, internet connectivity, solar power and structured digital skills training, particularly in communities where reliable electricity, connectivity and technology infrastructure remain limited.

The coverage means that BICTDA has established at least one digital literacy centre in 21 of Borno’s 27 LGAs, leaving six LGAs for future expansion.

The numbers give the programme a significant geographic footprint in a state where access to digital infrastructure has historically been affected by infrastructure constraints, geographical barriers and insecurity.

24,178 enrolled, 20,836 complete training

Since the programme was established in 2024, 24,178 residents have enrolled, while 20,836 have completed various digital skills programmes.

That leaves 3,342 participants, or about 13.8% of total enrolments, yet to complete their training.

The training covers basic computer operations, Microsoft Office applications, internet and email use, digital communication, cybersecurity and digital financial literacy.

BICTDA has subsequently expanded the curriculum into areas including artificial intelligence (AI), coding, cloud computing and digital entrepreneurship, reflecting the increasing demand for technology skills in the digital economy.

The programme therefore extends beyond basic computer literacy to skills that can potentially support employment, entrepreneurship and participation in digitally enabled services.

More than 10,000 take Cisco courses

Beyond the physical centres, more than 10,000 participants have completed online courses through Cisco Networking Academy, giving beneficiaries exposure to cybersecurity, AI, networking and digital awareness.

BICTDA has also partnered with institutions including the Digital Bridge Institute to expand training in AI, prompt engineering, cloud computing and data analytics.

The combination of physical centres and online programmes allows the state to extend its reach beyond participants who can attend classroom-based training.

Digital infrastructure backs training

BICTDA is complementing its skills programmes with investments in digital infrastructure and systems intended to support learning, programme monitoring and governance.

The agency has developed Children’s and Adult Learning Management Systems, an Information Management System for tracking digital literacy programmes and an AI Framework.

It has also deployed computers, laptops, servers, networking equipment and multimedia facilities across the digital literacy infrastructure.

Solar power installations and broadband connectivity are being used to address two of the major barriers to sustained digital access: electricity and internet availability.

At selected locations, BICTDA has introduced Starlink services to improve connectivity where conventional infrastructure may be inadequate.

The combination of connectivity and alternative power is intended to ensure that the availability of electricity or internet services does not determine whether residents can access digital training.

Women, students and underserved communities targeted

The programme covers a broad range of beneficiaries, including civil servants, students, teachers, young people, women and girls, entrepreneurs, journalists, ICT professionals and persons living with disabilities.

It also targets underserved and conflict-affected communities, where improved access to digital skills could create new opportunities in education, employment, entrepreneurship and online services.

The 21-LGA coverage is particularly significant because it shifts digital literacy provision away from a predominantly urban model and towards communities that have historically had less access to technology resources.

More than 20 organisations support programme

BICTDA has also built a partnership network involving more than 20 national and international organisations supporting its digital development initiatives.

Partners include NITDA, Cisco Networking Academy, the Digital Bridge Institute, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Google, ZOA International, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT).

The partnerships provide access to training resources, technology, expertise and certification opportunities, complementing Borno State’s investment in physical digital infrastructure.

Six LGAs remain to be covered

The programme’s current numbers show both its scale and the size of the remaining coverage gap.

Of Borno’s 27 LGAs, 21 currently have digital literacy centres, leaving six LGAs without the same level of physical access under the initiative.

At the same time, the programme has enrolled 24,178 people and trained 20,836, indicating that the existing centres are already serving thousands of residents.

The next phase will therefore determine whether BICTDA can extend the programme to the remaining six LGAs while increasing participation and completion rates among existing beneficiaries.

The expansion comes as governments across Nigeria increasingly position digital skills as a pathway to employment, innovation and participation in the digital economy.

For Borno, the programme also forms part of a wider development strategy aimed at making technology access available in communities where insecurity, infrastructure limitations and geographical barriers have historically restricted opportunities.

The recognition from NITDA at GITEX Nigeria places BICTDA’s initiative within the broader national push for digital inclusion and technology skills development.

With 21 centres, 21 LGAs covered, 24,178 enrolments and 20,836 completed training, Borno has established a measurable foundation for expanding digital participation across the state. The remaining six LGAs represent the next major coverage target as the state seeks to extend digital skills opportunities to more residents.