Governor directs BOSIMP to coordinate digital skills partnership expected to deliver about 2,000 opportunities for Borno youth and women

rnThe Borno State Government and Technology Talent Services (TTS) Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to equip young people and women with digital skills and create pathways to employment.

rnThe partnership was formalised on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at the Musa Usman Secretariat International Conference Centre, Maiduguri, during a state-level policy roundtable on Technology Talent Services supported by the Mastercard Foundation.rnThe initiative will focus on market-ready digital skills and technology-enabled employment, particularly in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).

rnGovernor Babagana Umara Zulum has directed that the programme be domiciled in the Borno State Social Investment Management Programme (BOSIMP) for effective state-level coordination and implementation.

rnRepresenting Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijjani, declared the roundtable open and said the partnership aligns with the Gov Zulum administration's efforts to rebuild livelihoods, expand economic opportunities and implement the Borno 25-Year Development Plan.

rnHe cited investments in education, including 136 mega schools, teacher capacity development, and the expansion of Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TVET), alongside plans to establish ICT centres and hubs across the 27 local government areas.

rnGoodwill messages were delivered by the Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Malumbe, and a representative of the Borno State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.

rnAmbassador Asari Allotey, Policy Lead at TTS Nigeria, said the programme is designed to equip 30,000 highly educated young women nationwide with market-ready skills, with at least 25,000 expected to access employment.

rnFemi Obidare, Lead of the Policy and Ecosystem Advocacy Pillar at TTS Nigeria, said Borno is expected to benefit from about 2,000 opportunities, with 10 per cent reserved for persons with disabilities and five per cent for internally displaced persons.rnHe said TTS Nigeria would work with the Borno State Government to strengthen the policy and ecosystem required to support BPO.

rnThe General Manager of BOSIMP, Dr Amdan Lawan, expressed the agency's readiness to coordinate the partnership, with Professor Babagana Gutti, Vice-Chancellor of Borno State University, serving as state facilitator. He called for a technical team to develop a policy framework for BPO in Borno State, stressing that the work should continue beyond the signing ceremony.

rnThe MoU was signed on behalf of the Borno State Government by Dr Amdan Lawan, while Ambassador Onisa signed for TTS Nigeria. Ambassador Janet Olisa witnessed for TTS Nigeria, while Professor Babagana Gutti witnessed for the Borno State Government.

rnThe partnership is expected to strengthen Borno's digital talent ecosystem and expand opportunities for young people and women in the growing digital economy.