The Bauchi State government is making efforts to empower startups and drive digital transformation for innovation and entrepreneurship.

At a stakeholders’ engagement and capacity-building workshop in Bauchi, the chief of staff, Government House Bauchi, Dr Aminu Hassan Gamawa, reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to create a thriving ecosystem where young innovators and businesses can flourish.

Represented by the permanent secretary, Yakubu Jibrin Abdullahi, Gamawa emphasised that the state’s vision is anchored on innovation, collaboration and sustainable development.

He noted that empowering young people through technology and enterprise remains a top priority.

The workshop, organised under the Innovation in Digital and Creative Enterprise (iDICE) programme in partnership with the State Bureau for Information, Communication Technology and Digital Economy, brought together key players in the startup space to exchange ideas and unlock new opportunities.

Valued at an impressive $618 million, the iDICE initiative is a flagship Federal Government programme aimed at boosting investment in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital and creative sectors which seeks to nurture talent, support emerging businesses and generate sustainable employment nationwide.

At the event, the state commissioner for Cooperatives and SMEs Development, Muhammad Sadiq, and the commissioner for Commerce, Investment and Industry, Muhammed Salees Gamawa, described the forum as a critical platform for innovation, partnerships and practical problem-solving.

Earlier, iDICE focal person, Ibrahim Tijjani, highlighted the programme’s focus on equipping young Nigerians – particularly those aged 15 to 35 – with the skills and resources needed to succeed in today’s digital economy.