Benue State, like the federal government, is emphasizing digital transformation. To this end, the state entered into a partnership with Huawei in November 2024.

Benue State announced this week that it is committing to training 40,000 civil servants in digital tools and ICT skills. The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) will be among the entities providing part of this training.

The program aims to equip civil servants with the skills to effectively utilize the platforms implemented by the state government to support its digital transformation efforts. These solutions include an electronic document management system, a geographic information portal, a start-up support platform, and a dedicated website for the Office of the Head of Service of the State.

"Through this training, we are fostering a future-ready workforce capable of adapting to the demands of a rapidly evolving world," said Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Governor of Benue State. This perspective is also supported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which shares this vision in its recommendations.

In its report titled "Developing skills for digital government: A review of good practices across OECD governments," the organization states that “to support the shift to digital government, countries must invest in developing the skills of civil servants.”

The OECD further notes that digital technologies have had—and will continue to have—a profound impact on economies, labor markets, and societies. This trend is echoed by the World Bank, which forecasts that nearly 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030.

By Isaac K. Kassouwi,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji