The European Union has spent €750,000, which is equivalent to N1,233,390,300 based on current currency exchange rate, to train citizens of Borno and Yobe States on digital training skills.
The program, which lasted for three years was concluded with a closing ceremony in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
According to the union, the program was aimed to target Women, Hard-to-Reach Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, to advance inclusive digital transformation and economic opportunities in both states.
It also aims to reduce the digital gender divide and digital exclusion among the targeted beneficiaries while strengthening community-level capacity in fragile contexts.
The programme was implemented by ZOA International from 2023 to 2026 as it also focused on expanding access to digital skills and strengthening the capacity of grassroots civil society organizations across 30 communities in the states.
The closing ceremony, brought together stakeholders, including representatives of the European Union, implementing partners, civil society organizations, and states’ government officials, to reflect on progress achieved and lessons learned from the initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, underscored the programme’s strategic focus on inclusive, people-centred digital development.
He explained that the project has showed how well-targeted digital investments can deliver lasting impact—by empowering communities, strengthening local institutions, and supporting inclusive economic growth.
“Through the Global Gateway strategy, the European Union is backing practical, people-centred digital transformation that responds to local realities and leaves no one behind,” he added.
De Luca also emphasized the importance of digital inclusion in conflict-affected regions, saying “Digital inclusion is not a luxury; it is a necessity for resilience, innovation, and meaningful participation in today’s economy. For marginalized communities in conflict-affected regions, access to digital skills is essential to stability, opportunity, and long-term recovery.”
Highlighting the EU’s forward-looking approach, De Luca noted that the EU wants initiatives like this to translate into real economic value.
“Our focus is on ensuring that skills, infrastructure, and innovation lead to viable enterprises, job creation, and durable economic resilience within local communities,” he added.
Providing an overview of the program’s outcomes, Godwin Dominic, ZOA Programme Manager, said the initiative delivered measurable results across target communities.
He said that under the program, 18,193 individuals were trained and 32 IT Hubs were established.
He further noted that it has supported the formation of a Digital Literacy Working Group to strengthen coordination and sustainability.
“In addition, six schools were capacitated with access to IT services, expanding opportunities for digital learning and skills development across communities in Borno and Yobe states,” Dominic added.
Representing Borno State Government, the Executive Secretary, Borno Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (BICTDA), Engr. Mohammed Kabir Wanori, commended the programme for complementing state development priorities, strategies, policies, and strengthening opportunities for women and youth.
As the program concludes, partners reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the digital infrastructure, skills, and local capacity developed through the initiative, ensuring that its outcomes continue to support inclusive economic participation and community resilience in North-East Nigeria..
