By Abubakar Muhammad (9NEWS NIGERIA, MAIDUGURI)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mazxeeton Technology, Usman Abdullahi has said that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Borno State is witnessing a rapid boost in recent years.
He said that the sector is getting the required attention it needed from both the state government and private sector actors in the state.
Usman said this in an interview with this reporter in Maiduguri, during the flagg-off ceremony of a three months Boot-Camp training on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for secondary school students, organized by his company.
The training program is however, in collaboration with Borno Information and Community Technology Development Agency (BICTDA).
Mazxeeton group is categorized into two, an academy that provides training and mentorship, and a firm, which specialized in software development, IT consultancy, telecommunications and CCTV surveillance among other things.
Talking further, Mr. Abdullahi said that the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, has made his intentions clear on ICT development in Borno through adequate investment and initiatives.
He noted that the governor’s plan to establish technological hubs across all 27 local government areas of the state in the 2025 budget is timely and commendable.
Usman also praised the governor for prioritizing ICT programs and the establishment of BICTDA, a move he said, would catapult the state towards meaningful opportunities in technology production, job creation and the general development of the sector.
BICTDA, a national awardee, was established eight months ago by the state government.
While the government is initiating several programs on ICT in the state, managing and sustaining these initiatives remains a major concern.
To provide answers to that effect, Engr Kabir Ahmed Wanori, an ICT Don in Borno has talked about the current situation of the ICT sector in the state and how it can explore to enhance its productivity.
In an interview with 9News Nigeria in his office in Maiduguri, Wanori, also the Executive Secretary of BICTDA, highlights how these programs can be sustain to achieve the desired results.
He said that the establishment of BICTDA by Governor Zulum is a huge step in that direction.
“You can see clearly from our programs and progress so far, having won a national award less than a year after our establishment,” he said.
While acknowledging that ICT is expensive, Wanori noted that with adequate funding, BICTDA has many programs and projects to execute that would enhance ICT in Borno, the northeast region and Nigeria at large.
He however emphasized that “the state government cannot do it alone, other parties most get involved.”
In line with that, the BICTDA boss called on Borno people at the federal and international level to key into programs that would attract ICT funding for the state.
“I think everyone most get involved, especially our national assembly members, they should help us access funding from the federal government and the international community, they should prioritize ICT in their activities,” he explained.
He added that without external funding, sustaining productive and effective ICT programs in the state will be challenging.
However, Wanori has also urged the people of Borno to take advantage of the ICT opportunities presented to them by the state government.
“Governor Zulum has already set the stage running, waiting for the people to explore it, he has taken technology to the grassroot level, to our door steps, we cannot miss that opportunity,” he said.
