Dauda Lawal and the making of a Digital Zamfara.

Until recently, governance in Zamfara was almost entirely manual—paper-based files, slow approvals, and ministries that rarely shared information. Today, that landscape is changing. From the civil service to hospitals, from classrooms to transport hubs, technology is quietly becoming the new architecture of public administration.

At the centre of this shift is Governor Dauda Lawal, whose administration is redefining how governance, efficiency, and access intersect. In less than two years, Zamfara has implemented a series of digital reforms that are placing the state firmly on Nigeria’s innovation map.

Rewiring Governance

The government’s digital transformation began with the modernisation of its administrative backbone. Through the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA), led by its Executive Secretary, Dr Habib Gajam, the state is digitising its bureaucracy to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.

Senior civil servants now operate with electronic files and official government email accounts following a comprehensive verification exercise that merged payroll and nominal rolls. The reform has strengthened accountability and reduced duplication across the system.
At the Government House, meetings of the State Executive Council now take place in a fully automated digital chamber equipped with real-time presentation systems and secure documentation. This platform—e-GovConnect—is gradually being extended to ministries and departments to streamline approvals and decision-making processes.
ZITDA is also standardising websites for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to provide a consistent digital presence for the state. Meanwhile, hospitals in Gusau, Kaura Namoda, Maru, Anka, Maradun and Nasarawar Burkullu are being automated to enhance healthcare delivery and record management.
Beyond government offices, smaller but symbolic changes are reshaping the culture of public service. The Visitors Management System (VMS) at Government House now digitises and secures visitor access, while a Biometric Attendance System ensures punctuality and accountability. To keep things coordinated, all ICT operations and personnel across MDAs have been brought under ZITDA’s supervision—a move that has ended duplication and created a more unified system across the public sector.

Building Digital Capacity

Lawal’s vision extends beyond modernising institutions. His administration is investing in people—ensuring that citizens can benefit from, and contribute to, the state’s growing digital economy.

In June 2025, Zamfara became the first state in Nigeria to launch a Digital Literacy Framework (ZDLF)—a strategic plan designed to build digital competence among youths, women, students, and civil servants. In partnership with the , ZITDA trained 150 women in essential digital skills. Each participant received an Android device, a certificate, and a ₦100,000 start-up grant to help turn their training into opportunity.
Earlier this month, the Zamfara State House of Assembly passed the bill establishing the Zamfara Institute of Information Technology (ZIIT). The institute, envisioned as a world-class hub for advanced tech education, will train young people in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and cloud computing.

To build on this progress, Zamfara partnered with Oracle Corporation to train more than 3,000 youths through the Oracle–ZITDA Skills Initiative, focusing on Cloud Infrastructure, AI, and Autonomous Database Systems. In Gusau and beyond, digital literacy is no longer an abstract goal—it’s becoming a reality that is reshaping how young people think about work, innovation, and the future.

Infrastructure and Innovation

No digital strategy can thrive without strong infrastructure, and Zamfara has made deliberate investments to close that gap. In 2024, the state became one of the first in Nigeria to waive Right-of-Way (RoW) charges for telecommunication companies. The decision opened the door to private investment and accelerated broadband expansion across the state.

Since then, ZITDA has laid 10 kilometres of fibre optic cable across Gusau, linking key institutions such as the JB Yakubu Secretariat, the State House of Assembly, the High Court, the Zamfara Internal Revenue Service, Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, and the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
The result is faster, more reliable communication between government offices and public institutions. Even the transport system has been reimagined. The Zamfara State Transport Authority (ZSTA) now operates an AI-powered fleet management and digital ticketing system for 50 new buses, each equipped with Wi-Fi, GPS tracking, and passenger safety monitoring. It’s a practical example of how technology can make everyday services smarter and more accountable.

Recognition and Global Partnerships

Zamfara’s achievements are attracting both national and international recognition. The state won the Ministerial Award for Best Performing State in Digital Human Capital Development at the 8th National Council on Communications and Digital Economy (NCCDE) in Owerri, and later received the Titans of Tech Award for Digital Transformation State of the Year in 2022.

In 2024, Zamfara ranked first in Digital Technology Infrastructure Development at the 12th NCCIDE meeting in Benue State. The following year, the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) honoured the state for its broadband-friendly policies, particularly the RoW waiver that spurred new investments.

Also, recently at the Digital Government Africa Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, Governor Lawal led the Zamfara delegation in a series of high-level meetings with global technology firms. The highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NetOne Neo Technology Limited to develop Zamfara’s IT ecosystem and value chain. This agreement further reinforces the state’s growing reputation as a serious player in digital innovation.

Speaking at the summit, Lawal summed up his approach in one sentence: “The measure of success is not in the number of systems deployed, but in the lives transformed.” It’s a principle that continues to shape every policy and partnership.

Beyond The Reforms

Part of what makes Zamfara’s story unique is its coherence. Every reform—from broadband to e-governance—fits within a clear vision of government that is intelligent, inclusive, and data-driven. The administration has also embedded Nigeria’s Data Protection Act into its policy framework and integrated cybersecurity into its systems to protect digital infrastructure and users alike.

The impact is already visible. Young innovators from the state have presented startups at GITEX Africa, while the Women Techmakers Community now mentors girls in coding, AI, and virtual learning. The conversation about Zamfara is gradually shifting—from insecurity and neglect to innovation and potential.

Despite these milestones, challenges remain. Broadband access still needs to reach remote communities, and maintaining ICT infrastructure requires consistent funding. Digital literacy must also move beyond classrooms to markets and rural households. Yet, these are not setbacks—they are reminders of how far Zamfara has come and how much further it intends to go.

Zamfara’s digital journey is still unfolding, but its direction is unmistakable. With each system deployed and each citizen trained, the state is not just modernising governance, it is rewriting its story. And perhaps the most remarkable part of that story is the growing confidence that technology can, indeed, power transformation.