The Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, has formally assented to the bill establishing the Sokoto State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (SICTDA), laying a strong legal foundation for the state’s digital transformation agenda.
The newly enacted law establishes SICTDA as the primary institution responsible for coordinating ICT development, expanding digital infrastructure, promoting e-governance, and advancing innovation across Sokoto State. The agency will also oversee ICT policy implementation, regulate standards, and facilitate strategic partnerships with the private sector, development partners, and academia.
The Governor’s assent marks a major milestone in the administration’s broader plan to institutionalize digital governance and drive economic diversification through technology.
As part of this vision, the state government has approved the establishment of the Sokoto State Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies. The Council is expected to advise the government on the ethical, economic, and security implications of adopting emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and robotics. Its formal inauguration is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
To globalize its tech ecosystem, the state recently sponsored a delegation of indigenous tech entrepreneurs to Japan, where they participated in the 2nd Tokyo International Conference on AI and New Technologies (ACAITD 2025) and ORGATEC Tokyo 2025, a premier international trade fair on smart workspaces and digital infrastructure.
The mission provided Sokoto based innovators with exposure to global trends and innovation policy models aimed at strengthening their contributions to the state’s digital economy.
Furthermore, the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Bashar Umar Kwabo, commended the Governor’s commitment to digital transformation, describing the bill’s assent as a game changer for Sokoto State.
“This law provides Sokoto State with the institutional capacity to lead in digital reforms, attract investment, and equip our people for the jobs and opportunities of the future,” he said.
With the SICTDA law now in effect and comprehensive digital initiatives underway, Sokoto State is establishing itself as a leader in subnational, technology-driven development across Nigeria.
Muhammad Abubakar
18 June 2025
