Zamfara State is positioning itself to reap major digital dividends from the planned Federal Government’s 90,000-kilometre fibre optic rollout, as it becomes one of the few states in Nigeria charging zero naira for Right of Way (RoW) per linear metre—a policy that is fast turning the northern state into a potential hub for broadband investment and digital transformation.
Dr. Habib Gajam, Executive Secretary of Zamfara Information Technology and Development Agency (ZITDA), disclosed this In an exclusive interview with Technology Times TV during the ongoing “State of Technology in Nigeria (#SOTING)” series.
ZITDA, according to the agency’s chief, is championing a comprehensive technology-driven vision that seeks to unlock digital value across critical sectors of the state’s economy, including security, healthcare, agriculture, education, and economic empowerment.
“If we access even 5,000 or 10,000 kilometres of fibre due to our zero RoW policy, that will be a significant win, unlocking vast potential in this critical sector,” Dr. Gajam says on #SOTING. “This is part of a larger plan by the Federal Government to lay about 90,000 kilometres of fibre across Nigeria, and we are deliberately aligning ourselves to benefit.”
Dr. Habib Gajam, Executive Secretary of Zamfara Information Technology and Development Agency (ZITDA).
ZITDA chief: Zamfara State’s RoW charges opening doors
Dr. Gajam reveals that Zamfara’s RoW waiver is opening doors for high-capacity fibre deployment that could transform not only the state’s digital infrastructure but also its socio-economic landscape.
“If we access even 5,000 or 10,000 kilometres of fibre due to our zero RoW policy, that will be a significant win, unlocking vast potential in this critical sector,” Dr. Gajam says on #SOTING. “This is part of a larger plan by the Federal Government to lay about 90,000 kilometres of fibre across Nigeria, and we are deliberately aligning ourselves to benefit.”
A Governor who gets it
Much of Zamfara’s digital transformation drive is being enabled by what Dr. Gajam calls “a visionary leadership style” from Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, whose private sector and banking background is now shaping public policy.
“He understands the vital role of ICT in governance,” Dr. Gajam says. “That’s why ICT is a top priority in the state.”
“He understands the vital role of ICT in governance,” Dr. Gajam says. “That’s why ICT is a top priority in the state.”
With executive buy-in, a bold RoW policy, strategic partnerships, and a focused digital agenda, Zamfara is gradually rewriting its narrative—from a state once seen as tech-backward to one now racing ahead on Nigeria’s digital map.
Turning policy into opportunity
The Executive Secretary is echoing the broader national strategy outlined by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, which recently unveiled the ambitious fibre optic infrastructure plan. The initiative aims to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide by boosting broadband penetration, especially in underserved areas.
For Zamfara, a state long plagued by security challenges and economic marginalisation, the RoW policy is proving to be a strategic lever in attracting investment and accelerating digital inclusion.
“We’re not just waiving RoW fees for the sake of it,” Dr. Gajam explains. “We understand the multiplier effect of broadband access. It enables financial inclusion, expands access to essential services, and helps bring more people into the tax net.”
In a country where the cost of RoW has long hindered broadband deployment, Zamfara’s zero-charge policy is not only unusual but trailblazing. It is earning the state a reputation as a forward-thinking player in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, and one ready to compete with its more developed counterparts in the country.
“A few years ago, this conversation wouldn’t even be possible,” Dr. Gajam notes with pride. “But today, we are beginning to compete with our peers in Southern Nigeria.”
From talk to action: Fibre rollouts and security tech
Dr. Gajam reveals that as part of Zamfara’s urban renewal programme, which includes roads, schools, and hospitals, a partnership has already been struck with a Lagos-based metropolitan fibre company to lay a 10-kilometre fibre network in the state.
This early win is a sign of things to come, as the state leverages both private and federal collaborations to bring broadband to urban, semi-urban, and even rural communities.
“We’re working to ensure the state capital, Gusau, has reliable broadband and communication infrastructure,” he says. “From there, we’ll expand to other parts of the state in phases, depending on the availability of resources.”
But the fibre rollout is not an end in itself. It is a means to deliver tangible benefits across key sectors.
Security, a top concern in Zamfara, is already receiving a tech-driven overhaul. The state government is building a command and control centre within the Government House to monitor security incidents in real time, thanks to its engagement with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on leveraging the 112 national emergency toll-free line.
“This digital transformation project is already helping us gain real-time visibility of security hotspots and ensures timely mobilisation of resources,” Dr. Gajam says. “It’s a classic case of how technology is supporting governance.”
Agriculture, healthcare and education get digital overhaul
Zamfara is also deploying digital solutions in agriculture, healthcare and education, often blending local insight with international best practices.
The agricultural sector, long hindered by misdirected government interventions, is undergoing reform powered by data. ZITDA is developing a farmer database to ensure that only deserving recipients benefit from government programmes.
“In the past, fertilisers and other farm inputs often ended up in the hands of politicians or black-market traders,” Dr. Gajam explains. “But with a proper database, a rice farmer won’t receive what’s meant for a maize farmer. That’s how you do precision intervention.”
On the health front, an Electronic Health Information Management System (EHR) is being rolled out in all renovated hospitals to digitise patient records and eliminate revenue leakages.
“The governor has declared a state of emergency in the health sector,” Dr. Gajam says. The remodelled and equipped hospitals will use the EHR platform that will track revenues from lab tests, surgeries, emergencies, and drugs while improving care.
Education is also receiving a major boost. A state-wide Education Management System, developed in collaboration with EdTech firm Flexisaf, is now tracking remittances from tertiary institutions to block leakages and strengthen governance.
Economic empowerment: From paper to platform
As part of its economic empowerment efforts, Zamfara has digitised its social register, achieving 70% accuracy and aligning with global standards from the World Bank and other partners.
“This means donor agencies and development partners can now transparently track their interventions,” Dr. Gajam explains. “Whether it’s small businesses or vulnerable groups, the digital register adds credibility and accountability.”
Technology is not just driving transparency but also amplifying impact, as private sector players—consultants, service providers, and tech innovators—are now eyeing Zamfara as a viable frontier, he says.
Laying the groundwork for digital Literacy
A cornerstone of Zamfara’s long-term plan is the development of a state-wide Digital Literacy Framework. This policy, currently in draft stage, seeks to embed digital skills across all layers of society—from students and civil servants to rural communities.
“The governor will soon flag off stakeholder engagement on this framework,” Dr. Gajam confirms. “It’s an inclusive blueprint designed to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2030.”
Where fibre connectivity does not reach, the state plans to deploy Nigeria’s communications satellite services for internet access in rural schools and communities. Urban areas will benefit from partnerships with Galaxy Backbone and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which will offer technical support and training programmes.
Where fibre connectivity does not reach, the state plans to deploy Nigeria’s communications satellite services for internet access in rural schools and communities. Urban areas will benefit from partnerships with Galaxy Backbone and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which will offer technical support and training programmes.
“This is about impact at scale,” Dr. Gajam says. “We’re not leaving anyone behind. From the grassroots to the top, digital skills must become a language everyone speaks.”
Building the next ICT hub of Northern Nigeria
Perhaps the most ambitious aspect of Zamfara’s tech revolution is its plan to establish an Institute of Information Technology. Slated to begin operations within 12 months at a temporary site, the institute will offer cutting-edge training in emerging fields such as AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, database management, business analytics, game development, IoT, and more.
“This will be the flagship of our long-term vision,” Dr. Gajam reveals. “The idea is to make Zamfara the ICT hub of Northern Nigeria. We want to train our young population in globally relevant technology fields.”
According to the ZITDA Executive Secretary, “As for impact, we are working to establish an Institute of Information Technology in the state. We want Zamfara to become the next ICT hub of Northern Nigeria through ICT education. The institute will offer training in computing, AI, cybersecurity, database management, data science, business analytics, game technology, blockchain, IoT—programs rarely offered even in southern Nigeria.
“Our vision is to make Zamfara a destination for ICT education. These projects are costly, but we’re fortunate to have a governor who understands the vital role of ICT in service delivery. Coming from a private sector and banking background, he’s brought that mindset into governance. That’s why ICT is a top priority in the state.”
Though funding remains a constraint, the state is banking on partnerships to realise this vision.
“Our plans are ambitious, but we are leveraging financial and technical partnerships to make them scalable,” Dr. Gajam says. “We can’t do this alone.”
As the fibre optic wave begins to sweep across Nigeria under the Federal Government’s national broadband plan, Zamfara is riding the front of the curve—laying fibre, connecting communities, training minds, and building systems that may well define the state’s digital future.
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