Bauchi State has eliminated right-of-way charges for broadband deployment to encourage telecommunications companies and internet service providers to invest in the state. Governor Bala Mohammed announced the zero-cost policy on Tuesday at the launch of the Bauchi State Innovation and Startup Law 2026 and a graduation ceremony for more than 100 youths who completed cybersecurity training. The governor, represented by his deputy Auwal Jatau, said the move reflected his administration's commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure and creating economic opportunities for young people.
Mohammed said the state wanted to send a clear message to the telecommunications sector. According to him, the policy removes barriers to broadband investment and positions Bauchi as an attractive destination for companies seeking to expand their services. The governor described technology as critical to development, noting that digital transformation had become central to public service delivery, business operations and access to economic opportunities. He said his administration had introduced data management guidelines and established institutional frameworks to support these goals.
The graduates who completed the training obtained CompTIA Security+ certifications after about six months of study. According to Mohammed, the programme was designed to equip young people with technical skills and prepare them for employment in the global digital economy. The government has partnered with cybersecurity organisation Protexxa to create employment pathways, with the governor disclosing that at least 80 per cent of the graduates will be placed in jobs through this arrangement.
Hayatuddeen Babamaji, Director-General of the Bauchi State Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy, said the cybersecurity programme launched in August 2025 offered practical learning, professional development and internationally recognised certification. He described the graduation as evidence of the state's investment in human capital. Babamaji said the startup law and cybersecurity programme were complementary initiatives aimed at building digital skills while creating an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Bauchi State Innovation and Startup Law 2026 is expected to provide incentives, investment opportunities and institutional support for technology-driven businesses. Mohammed urged young people to view entrepreneurship as a viable career path through which they could develop solutions to local problems and build sustainable businesses. He called for collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, technology companies, investors and development partners to ensure effective implementation of the law.
For borrowers and business owners in Bauchi seeking to invest in telecommunications or technology ventures, the removal of right-of-way charges reduces infrastructure costs and the startup law creates a legal framework with incentives and institutional support for technology-driven enterprises.