Governor Mutfwang Unveils Digital Transformation Drive, Says Technology Is Key to Security and Economic Growth

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation, describing technology as a critical tool for improving governance, boosting economic development, enhancing public service delivery and strengthening security across the state.

The governor made the remarks on Monday while receiving members of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) at the Government House in Rayfield, Jos, ahead of the Society’s international conference.

Mutfwang applauded the Nigerian Computer Society for choosing Plateau State as the conference host despite security concerns and negative narratives that had circulated online. He said the decision demonstrated growing confidence in the state’s improving security situation.

“I want to thank you for the confidence you have in us by agreeing to allow us to host this conference. I want to appreciate those of you who stood firmly to discountenance any negative information about Plateau State,” the governor said.

Highlighting his administration’s digital agenda, Mutfwang disclosed that the state is close to launching a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre in Jos through a partnership with development organisations. He revealed that about 600 successful applicants have already been interviewed and are expected to begin work as the project gets underway.

He added that the government is expanding the use of digital technology through e-governance, e-commerce and other technology-driven initiatives designed to improve efficiency, transparency and public service delivery.

The governor also revealed that technology has become an integral part of Plateau’s security strategy. According to him, the deployment of digital tools recently gave security agencies a tactical advantage during an attack in Riyom Local Government Area.

“We are leveraging technology to face the security challenges… because of the deployment of technology, we were able to have an advantage over them,” he stated.

While acknowledging the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Mutfwang urged Nigerian technology professionals to take the lead in addressing emerging risks associated with the evolving technology and ensure it is deployed responsibly.

Earlier, Nigerian Computer Society President Aliyu Sirajo commended the Mutfwang administration for its commitment to digital innovation, describing Plateau as an ideal location for the Society’s international conference.

Sirajo revealed that the Society had dispatched an assessment team to Plateau following reports of insecurity. However, he said the team’s findings contradicted many of the negative narratives circulating on social media.

“The report I had after their visit was, ‘We do not see what the media is portraying and what people are saying,'” he said.

He praised the hospitality of Plateau residents and expressed confidence that the conference would support the state’s digital economy agenda by attracting technology companies, investors, innovators and entrepreneurs, further positioning Plateau as an emerging ICT hub in Nigeria.