Bauchi State has launched the Innovation and Startup Law 2026 and graduated more than 100 young people who completed cyber security training under its Cybernation programme, implemented with technology firm Protexxa. Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy Auwal Jatau, said the initiatives marked a commitment to using technology for economic development, job creation and strengthening public institutions. He described digital transformation as central to modern governance and economic competitiveness, stating that his administration had deliberately set out to build a foundation for digital innovation in the state.
Mohammed said technology had become central to how government delivers services, how businesses operate and how economies compete globally. He disclosed that the state government had approved zero Right of Way charges for broadband deployment across Bauchi State, aimed at encouraging telecommunications companies and internet service providers to expand services to underserved areas. The move was designed to reduce barriers to internet access and ensure young people in rural communities had opportunities comparable to those in urban centres.
The partnership with Protexxa secured a commitment to place at least 80 per cent of the graduates in employment. Mohammed said the Cybernation programme and the newly launched startup law were complementary, designed to develop digital skills while creating an enabling environment for technology-driven businesses. The law would provide a framework for supporting startups through incentives, investment opportunities and institutional backing, encouraging young entrepreneurs to turn innovative ideas into sustainable ventures.
The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, congratulated the graduates and noted that the House had passed the bill establishing an ecosystem for technology-enabled startups and an innovation-based economy, including the creation of the Bauchi State Startup Fund. He urged graduates to pursue continuous learning, gain practical experience and obtain professional certifications. Protexxa's Country Representative, Abi Hafsat, commended the state government for investing in young people's digital skills and said the programme demonstrated the potential of strategic partnerships between government and the private sector in preparing young people for emerging technology opportunities.
For young people in Bauchi, the initiatives mean access to internationally recognised cyber security training and commitments to employment placement, while the startup law creates a legal framework and funding mechanisms for technology entrepreneurs to launch businesses in the state.