In a significant move to bolster digital literacy and youth empowerment, Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has commissioned the newly constructed Katsina Local Government Digital Learning Centre.
Speaking at the ceremony held on Monday at the Muhammad Dodo Primary School Layout within the metropolis, Governor Radda described the facility as a strategic investment designed to prepare the state’s youth for the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.
He noted that the centre aligns with his administration’s broader agenda to position Katsina as an innovation-driven state.
The Governor commended the Chairman of Katsina Local Government, Hon. Isah Miqdad, for initiating and completing the project, emphasizing that grassroots-driven development is essential for societal progress.
Radda stressed that with the world fully embracing technology, digital skills have become a necessity rather than an option for education and employment.
“To compete favourably with other states, digital preparedness is key. We must not only catch up; we must lead,” Governor Radda stated, adding that the centre’s location within the metropolis would ensure easy access for thousands of youths preparing for computer-based examinations such as JAMB and WAEC.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Katsina Local Government, Hon. Isah Miqdad, attributed the successful execution of the project to the full financial autonomy granted to the state’s 34 Local Government Councils by the Radda administration.
He explained that the autonomy challenged the council to look beyond routine administration and focus on legacy projects completed within tight timelines.
Miqdad further revealed that the council is actively pursuing accreditation for the centre to serve as a JAMB Computer Based Test (CBT) centre.
He noted that this move is intended to ease the burden on students, expand access to higher education, and restore dignity to local learning environments.
The event also featured endorsements from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Representing the Director-General, the Head of Partnership Division, Mr. Bashir Ibrahim, described the centre as a vital contribution to human capital development.
He noted that the facility supports NITDA’s “Digital Literacy for All” programme and called for its proper maintenance to ensure sustainability.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by several senior government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Bashir Tanimu; and the Director-General of the Katsina State Directorate of ICT, Naufal Ahmed.