No fewer than 40,000 state and local government employees would be trained in e-governance, data policy, regulation, and ICT compliance to modernize governance and enhance digital literacy.
Benue State Commissioner for Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Kwaghgba Amande disclosed this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja between the Benue State Government and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC)
Amande, said Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has approved the training, stressing that the initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to digitize its economy and improve service delivery.
“To facilitate this, the Benue State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to strengthen data protection awareness and build the capacity of civil servants in responsible data governance.
“Governor Alia is committed to digital transformation, 20% of the state’s 2025 budget has been allocated to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy,” he said.
National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said the initiative, would safeguard the data privacy rights of Benue residents while promoting a culture of compliance.
“NDPC would oversee the training and certification of selected civil servants and youth through the National Certification Examination for Certified Data Protection Officers (CDPOs).
Each Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA) and Local Government Council will have qualified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to enforce compliance and foster a privacy-conscious environment,” he said.
On his part, the Managing Director of the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), Mr. Gbande Terwase, announced that the ICT training would be conducted in collaboration with the Digital Bridge Institute.
He also disclosed that the state government is in talks with China to locally manufacture and brand laptops for use within Benue and beyond.
“Additionally, the BDIC has launched the “One Student, One Computer, One Digital Skill+” initiative, aimed at equipping students with essential digital skills while ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations.
“With these strategic moves, Benue State is positioning itself as a leader in Nigeria’s digital revolution, fostering innovation, data protection, and ICT-driven governance.
“A committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the MoU and drive the state’s digital transformation agenda forward,” he added.
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