Digital Transformation Readiness Assessment of State-Owned Enterprises in Kano State

Digital transformation has emerged as a strategic imperative for public enterprises seeking to modernise service delivery, enhance accountability, and improve operational competitiveness. This study assesses the digital transformation readiness of state-owned enterprises in Kano State, North West Nigeria, covering eight enterprises including the Kano State Water Board, the Kano State Roads and Infrastructure Agency, and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining structured questionnaires administered to 120 management and IT personnel with document reviews of existing ICT infrastructure inventories. Readiness was assessed across five dimensions: IT infrastructure maturity, digital skills among personnel, leadership commitment to digital change, financial capacity for technology investment, and data governance practices. Results indicate that enterprises score an average of 2.4 out of 5 across all dimensions, with digital skills and data governance identified as the weakest areas. Only two of the eight enterprises had a documented digital transformation strategy. The study develops a Digital Transformation Readiness Index tailored to the Nigerian public enterprise context and uses it to classify the eight organisations into three readiness tiers. Recommendations include establishment of a Kano State Digital Transformation Office and mandatory digital literacy training for senior management. Keywords: digital transformation, state-owned enterprises, Kano State, readiness assessment, public sector ICT.