The Bauchi State Government has launched the Bauchi State Innovation and Startup Law 2026 and graduated more than 100 youths trained in cybersecurity under its Cybernation Programme.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with Canadian cybersecurity company Protexxa, is part of the state government's broader effort to expand digital skills, create employment opportunities and establish an environment where technology-driven businesses can grow.
Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, disclosed this on Tuesday during the launch of the law and the graduation ceremony held in Bauchi.
The Cybernation programme provided participants with practical cybersecurity training and professional development aimed at preparing them for careers in the global digital economy.
Bauchi targets jobs through cybersecurity training
The governor described the cybersecurity programme as a strategic investment in young people and the state's technological development.
According to Mohammed, the government has secured a commitment through its partnership with Protexxa to place at least 80 per cent of the graduates in employment.
He said the initiative was designed not only to provide technical skills but also to create a direct pathway between trained young people and employment opportunities in the technology sector.
The graduates reportedly underwent about six months of training, with the programme covering professional cybersecurity development and internationally recognised certification. Tribune reported that participants obtained CompTIA Security+ certifications after completing the training.
The training is intended to prepare participants for roles including cybersecurity analysis, vulnerability assessment, incident response and cybersecurity awareness.
Startup law creates framework for technology businesses
The launch of the Bauchi State Innovation and Startup Law 2026 represents the policy side of the state's digital development strategy.
The law establishes a framework for supporting and developing technology-enabled startups and promoting an innovation-based economy within Bauchi State.
It is also expected to provide startups and innovators with access to incentives, investment opportunities and institutional support. The legislation includes provisions for the establishment of a Bauchi State Startup Fund.
The Bauchi State House of Assembly had passed the legislation in October, according to reports from the event.
The government says the law and Cybernation Programme are designed to complement each other.
While the cybersecurity programme develops a pool of skilled workers, the startup law is intended to create an environment in which entrepreneurs can build companies and develop technology-based solutions to local problems.
This approach could allow trained young people to pursue employment while also giving some of them the opportunity to develop their own technology businesses.
Government approves zero Right of Way charges
As part of its wider digital strategy, the Bauchi State Government also announced a zero Right of Way charge for broadband deployment across the state.
Mohammed said the policy was intended to encourage telecommunications companies and internet service providers to expand broadband infrastructure, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
The governor urged telecommunications operators to invest in Bauchi and expand connectivity to communities that have historically had limited access to reliable internet services.
The government believes better connectivity will give residents, particularly young people, greater access to online education, remote employment, entrepreneurship and other opportunities within the digital economy.
The policy is also expected to reduce one of the infrastructure barriers facing companies seeking to expand broadband services across the state.
Protexxa urges employers to give graduates opportunities
Protexxa's Country Representative, Rick Huijbregts, called on government agencies, companies and other organisations to provide employment opportunities for the newly trained cybersecurity professionals.
Huijbregts said the graduates had completed the training and now needed opportunities to apply their skills through interviews, internships, contracts and employment.
He argued that providing opportunities for the graduates should be viewed as an investment in Nigeria's cybersecurity capacity rather than simply an act of assistance.
According to him, Nigeria needs more than 68,000 cybersecurity professionals to address its skills gap.
The Protexxa representative also said the graduates had been inducted into the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigeria, describing the recognition as an indication of their entry into the professional field.
Protexxa's Country Coordinator, Abi-Hafsat Abubakar, encouraged the graduates to continue learning because cybersecurity is a rapidly changing field in which new technologies and threats emerge continuously.
Programme began in 2025
The Cyber Nations initiative was launched in Bauchi in partnership with Protexxa in 2025.
The Bauchi State Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy said the programme was established to provide young people with globally relevant cybersecurity skills and prepare them for high-demand careers.
The state's original programme announcement said successful participants would be prepared for roles such as cybersecurity analysts, vulnerability analysts, incident responders and cyber-literacy coordinators.
The programme was also designed to strengthen digital resilience by improving the state's capacity to identify and respond to cyber threats.
Its broader objectives include youth empowerment, employment creation and digital inclusion.
The Bauchi government described the initiative as part of its ambition to position the state as a stronger participant in the digital economy.
State seeks stronger digital economy
Speaking at the ceremony, the governor said technology had become central to modern governance, business and economic competitiveness.
He said the administration was focused on using technology to improve public services, strengthen institutions and create economic opportunities for young people.
The government has also introduced data-management guidelines and other institutional measures intended to support digital transformation in the state.
The governor urged ministries, departments and agencies, the State House of Assembly, technology companies, investors and other stakeholders to work together to ensure the effective implementation of the new startup law.
He also encouraged the cybersecurity graduates to maintain professional ethics and continue developing their technical capabilities.
Cybersecurity, he noted, has become increasingly important as government agencies, banks, hospitals, telecommunications companies and businesses rely more heavily on digital systems.
A larger pool of trained professionals could therefore help both public and private organisations improve their ability to protect sensitive information and respond to cyber threats.
Assembly backs innovation agenda
The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, congratulated the graduates and described their achievement as an opportunity to build careers in cybersecurity and related technology fields.
He encouraged the graduates to gain practical experience, pursue additional professional certifications and continue improving their skills.
Suleiman also said cybersecurity professionals could play a role in protecting public and private institutions, improving online safety and educating communities about cyber fraud and other digital threats.
The House has pledged to work with the executive branch to support legislation and policies that promote the welfare of residents and strengthen the state's technology ecosystem.
From training to employment
The major test for the Cybernation Programme will now be whether its graduates can successfully transition from training into sustainable employment.
The government's commitment to facilitate employment for at least 80 per cent of the graduates provides a target, but details about the employers, positions and timeline for those placements have not been publicly disclosed.
For the graduates, securing those opportunities could turn the training into a practical pathway into Nigeria's rapidly expanding digital economy.
The startup law could also provide another route for participants interested in entrepreneurship rather than conventional employment.
By combining skills development, broadband expansion and startup support, Bauchi is attempting to address several barriers to participation in the technology economy at the same time.
The state government says the ultimate objective is to create an ecosystem in which young people can acquire globally relevant skills, access employment and build technology businesses capable of solving local problems.
The launch of the Bauchi State Innovation and Startup Law 2026 and graduation of the Cybernation cohort therefore marks a significant step in the state's digital-development agenda. Whether the initiative produces lasting employment, successful startups and stronger cybersecurity capacity will depend largely on implementation, investment and continued support for the young people who have completed the programme.
