The governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, has been commended for his visionary leadership and proactive steps in driving digital transformation and cybersecurity readiness across the State.
The Executive Program Coordinator of OZ Consulting Firm, Hajiya Abi Abubakar Suleiman, gave the commendation in a statement following the successful announcement of the first batch of the cyber nations program by the Director General of Bureau for ICT & Digital Economy, Hayatudeen Babamaji, where he lauded the governor’s dedication to preparing Bauchi’s youth and workforce for the future through innovative partnerships and forward-thinking policies.
On his part, the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Alhaji Usman Shehu, in a press statement noted that the programme followed a series of strategic engagement by the Bauchi State government, including a recent bilateral mission to Canada.
He added that successful trainees would be equipped for careers in key cyber security roles, including Cyber Security Analyst, responsible for monitoring systems and vulnerability Analysts, who identify system weaknesses and potential risks.
The consultancy firm particularly celebrated the state’s landmark collaboration with Protexxa Inc., a globally acclaimed Canadian cybersecurity firm, as a groundbreaking milestone in Bauchi State’s digital journey.
According to OZ Consulting Firm, the partnership has paved the way for Bauchi State’s inclusion in the Cyber Nations Initiative Cybersecurity Training Programme, a Canada-led project aimed at training and deploying 100,000 African, Caribbean, and Canadian youth into the global cybersecurity workforce.
This move, the firm stressed, was a direct outcome of Governor Mohammed’s strategic diplomatic engagements, including a recent high-level mission to Canada.
“This initiative is a testimony to Governor Bala Mohammed’s foresight and commitment to global competitiveness,” the statement read.
“It will empower Bauchi’s young people with the skills to thrive in the fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape, positioning them for roles such as Cybersecurity Analysts, Incident Responders, and Cyber Literacy Coordinators.”
OZ Consulting Firm also revealed that the screening process for the inaugural batch of participants has been completed, with successful candidates already notified via email.
The training is scheduled to begin in July 2025 and is open to qualified graduates, professionals seeking career transitions, and passionate individuals with a basic understanding of digital tools.
“With this bold step, Bauchi has cemented its status as a cyber-smart and digitally resilient state,” the statement continued. “We commend Governor Bala Mohammed for championing a future-proof agenda that not only benefits the state but serves as a model for Northern Nigeria and beyond.”
They called on all stakeholders, including civil society groups, industry players, and development partners, to rally behind the state’s digital vision.
The firm further encouraged Bauchi’s youth to embrace the opportunities that the programme offers, emphasising the long-term personal and collective benefits.
“For a state once underrepresented in national conversations about digital innovation, Bauchi is now fast becoming a beacon of hope and a hub of technological advancement, thanks to the unwavering commitment and dynamic leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed,” they stated.
