From Consumers to Creators: Gombe Trains 100 Youths in AI, Data Analytics

From Consumers to Creators: Gombe Trains 100 Youths in AI, Data Analytics

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Gombe State has intensified its push into Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy with the launch of a high-impact training programme in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics targeting 100 young people across the state.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Gombe State Information Technology and Digital Economy Commission (GOSIDEC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), is designed to equip participants with cutting-edge digital skills needed to compete in today’s global workforce.

Flagging off the programme, GOSIDEC Director-General, Dr. Al-Amin Barambu, described the training as a strategic investment in human capital aimed at repositioning the state from a technology consumer to a producer of innovative, data-driven solutions.

According to him, the intervention aligns with the broader vision of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration to diversify the state’s economy through innovation, digital transformation and youth empowerment.

“Gombe is deliberately charting a new course. We are moving beyond merely consuming technology to building the capacity of our youths to create solutions driven by data and innovation,” Barambu said.

He challenged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity, stressing that the knowledge and tools provided should translate into long-term impact.

“The laptops you have received are not just devices—they are work tools. Use them to develop ideas, build startups and solve real problems within your communities. This programme is only the beginning,” he added.

As part of the support package, NCDMB provided participants with high-performance laptops, learning materials and stipends to ensure full participation throughout the training.

The programme reflects a growing partnership between government institutions aimed at nurturing a new generation of tech-savvy youths, positioning Gombe as an emerging hub for digital innovation in northern Nigeria.

Observers say the initiative could play a significant role in reducing unemployment, boosting entrepreneurship and aligning the state with global trends in technology and knowledge-driven economies.