Lawal Signs ZIIT Bill into Law to Drive Zamfara’s Digital Future

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has signed into law a bill establishing the Zamfara Institute of Information Technology (ZIIT), marking a major step by the state toward building a technology-driven economy.

The bill was signed on Tuesday at the governor’s office in Gusau, providing the legal and operational foundation for the institute, which the government describes as a “breeding ground” for the next generation of technology professionals.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency, Dr. Habib Gajam, said the creation of ZIIT signals a deliberate shift by the Lawal administration toward a knowledge-based economy.

According to him, the institute is designed to equip young people with advanced digital competencies and position Zamfara as an emerging centre for technology and innovation in Northern Nigeria.

Gajam explained that ZIIT will focus on producing highly skilled professionals in key and emerging areas such as software development, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence, in line with global technology trends.

Although the institute will be headquartered in Gusau, its scope is expected to extend beyond Zamfara State, serving the wider North-West region and Northern Nigeria as a whole.

Government officials and stakeholders who attended the signing ceremony praised Governor Lawal’s action, describing the initiative as a “bold statement of intent” to deploy technology as a catalyst for economic growth and inclusive development.

The move has also been welcomed by youth groups and members of the local tech community, who see the establishment of ZIIT as a critical intervention to tackle unemployment, nurture innovation, and open new opportunities for young people across the state and the region.