The European Union has completed its digital skills promotion programme designed for women, hard-to-reach youth, and persons with disabilities after three years of focused intervention aimed at expanding inclusive digital opportunities in Borno and Yobe states. The initiative sought to bridge the digital gender gap and reduce exclusion while strengthening the capacity of communities operating in fragile environments.
The closing event, held in Maiduguri on 4 February 2026, brought together key stakeholders, including officials of the European Union, implementing partners, civil society groups, and state government representatives, to review achievements and share lessons from the programme.
Supported with €750,000 from the European Union, the project was carried out by ZOA International between 2023 and 2026. It targeted the reduction of the digital gender divide, improved access to digital training, and enhanced the capacity of grassroots civil society organisations across 30 communities in Borno and Yobe.
Speaking at the closing ceremony in Maiduguri, the Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, highlighted the programme’s emphasis on inclusive and people-centred digital development.
“This project shows how well-targeted digital investments can deliver lasting impact—by empowering communities, strengthening local institutions, and supporting inclusive economic growth,” De Luca said. “Through the Global Gateway strategy, the European Union is backing practical, people-centred digital transformation that responds to local realities and leaves no one behind.”
He stressed the significance of digital inclusion in areas affected by conflict, noting: “Digital inclusion is not a luxury; it is a necessity for resilience, innovation, and meaningful participation in today’s economy. For marginalised communities in conflict-affected regions, access to digital skills is essential to stability, opportunity, and long-term recovery.”
Highlighting the EU’s forward-looking direction, De Luca added: “Looking ahead, the European Union wants initiatives like this to translate into real economic value. Our focus is on ensuring that skills, infrastructure, and innovation lead to viable enterprises, job creation, and durable economic resilience within local communities.”
Giving an overview of the results, ZOA Programme Manager, Godwin Dominic, said the intervention recorded measurable impact in the targeted communities.
“Over the course of implementation, the programme trained 18,193 individuals, established 32 IT hubs, and supported the formation of a Digital Literacy Working Group to strengthen coordination and sustainability,” Dominic said. “In addition, six schools were capacitated with access to IT services, expanding opportunities for digital learning and skills development across communities in Borno and Yobe states.”
Representing the Borno State Government, the Executive Secretary of the Borno Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (BICTDA), Engr. Mohammed Kabir Wanori, commended the project for aligning with the state’s development priorities, policies, and strategies, while improving opportunities for women and young people.
With the programme now concluded, partners reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the digital infrastructure, skills, and community capacity built during the initiative, to ensure continued inclusive economic participation and resilience across North-East Nigeria.
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