Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi has been named the Digital Governor of the Year 2025 (Northwest Region) at the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) under the Presidency.
The award ceremony, held at the State House in Abuja, celebrated state leaders who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing digital transformation and enhancing public sector efficiency.
Governor Namadi was recognised for his pioneering efforts in digitising governance and modernising public service delivery in Jigawa State.
According to a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Hamisu Gumel, Governor Namadi’s notable achievements include the establishment of the Jigawa State ICT and Digital Economy Agency, a hub for innovation, youth empowerment, and technology-driven policy implementation.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Namadi expressed gratitude to Allah for the recognition and dedicated the award to the people and government of Jigawa State.
“This honour is not just for me personally, but a testimony to the collective dedication, innovation, and resilience of our entire team in Jigawa,” he stated.
Governor Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging ICT for e-governance, youth employment, and digital economic growth.
“Promoting ICT remains a top priority for us. We are reclaiming Jigawa’s legacy as a pacesetter in e-governance and using technology to drive socioeconomic transformation,” he said.
The Governor outlined key initiatives undertaken over the past two years, including the formulation of a comprehensive ICT Policy and Strategy, the revitalisation of Galaxy ITT Limited, the precursor to the Nigerian Government’s Galaxy Backbone, the training of over 1,000 youths in digital outsourcing, and 1,000 civil servants in ICT for e-governance.
Also included is the launch of Jigawa OneAPI, a secure digital platform for inter-agency service integration.
Governor Namadi said the efforts reflect his administration’s vision of positioning Jigawa as a digital innovation hub while ensuring inclusive socioeconomic progress.
He said; “We shall remain focused on improving the quality of life for our people responsively, inclusively, and sustainably.”
Other Governors recognised at the event include Dr. Alex Otti (Abia), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang (Plateau), all commended for their outstanding contributions to public sector reform and innovation.
This year’s theme, “Redefining Possibilities: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Public Service Delivery and Socio-Economic Development,” aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising the centrality of technology in national development.