The Borno state government has reaffirmed its partnership with the European Union (EU) to expand digital skills training for young people, positioning technology as a pillar of post-conflict recovery and economic renewal.
The commitment was restated during a stakeholder engagement on the EU-funded digital skills project, which brought together ICT experts, civil society groups, EU delegates and state officials to review progress on youth digital literacy.
Mohammed Kabir-Wanori, executive secretary of the Borno state Information and Communication Technology Development Agency, said the state’s long-term development framework makes collaboration unavoidable.
“The governor’s 25-year development plan and TEMPACT agenda are very clear that partnership with national and international organisations is absolutely necessary,” Kabir-Wanori said. “That is why the government has established centres across the 27 local government areas of Borno State, fully equipped with internet connectivity and IT facilities to upskill and reskill youths, including those in hard-to-reach communities.”
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He added that external support had been critical to delivery. “Without partnerships, the programme would not be as successful as needed. This is why the government is working with organisations such as the European Union, ZOA (Zuid Oost Azië) – a Dutch-based Christian NGO and UNDP,” he said.
Kabir-Wanori commended the EU and ZOA Nigeria for backing the initiative, noting that improved digital capability could reduce unemployment and support youth-led enterprise.
Development partners said the project is designed to close a persistent digital skills gap and increase youth participation in the digital economy. A ZOA representative said the organisation was drawing on decades of experience in recovery programming to widen access.
“With over 50 years of experience in relief and early recovery interventions, ZOA wanted to address a major skills gap, working with national and state governments,” the representative said. “The aim is to create space for women, young people and persons with disabilities to access digital education and platforms that support socio-economic opportunities.”
The state government said it remains committed to creating an enabling environment that attracts development partners and aligns capacity-building programmes with Borno’s recovery agenda.
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Why this matters
Borno continues to rebuild after years of conflict that disrupted education, livelihoods and public services. Digital skills training offers a route to employability and entrepreneurship in a state where formal jobs are scarce and physical infrastructure remains uneven.Young people, women and persons with disabilities stand to benefit directly from improved access to training and digital platforms. Local businesses and public services could also gain from a more skilled workforce.
What to watch next
Attention will turn to scale and outcomes: how many youths complete training, whether skills translate into jobs or enterprises, and whether funding and partnerships are sustained beyond pilot phases. The durability of digital infrastructure across all 27 local government areas will also be a key test.
