The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, has called for a fundamental shift in Kano State’s economic strategy, urging stakeholders to embrace innovation, technology and collaboration as the drivers of growth in the 21st century.
Giving this charge at the Kano Startup Weekend event, Inuwa recalled Kano’s long-standing reputation as the commercial nerve-centre of Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahelian region, noting that the state’s history of trade, enterprise and human capital provides a solid foundation for future growth.
He emphasised that while these strengths powered Kano’s success for centuries, the modern economy now offers even greater opportunities through innovation and technology.
The techno expert described innovation as the process of transforming ideas into impactful solutions through commercialization, stressing that when ideas are effectively deployed, they create value, solve societal challenges and generate sustainable economic growth, noting that Kano’s large market, strategic location and vibrant entrepreneurial culture place it in a strong position to take advantage of innovation-driven opportunities.
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The NITDA boss said: “Innovation is the process of taking an idea from inception to impact. Invention on its own is a cost centre, but when you commercialise an idea, when you turn it into a product or service that solves a real problem and creates value, that is when you begin to drive economic growth and inclusion.”
Inuwa noted that the state had various degree-awarding institutions of federal, state and private educationists located in it providing a strong base for human capital development, however, he expressed concern that these institutions often operate in isolation from industry, with research outputs rarely translating into commercial or industrial applications.
According to him, innovation does not happen in silos and stressed the need for a strong, interconnected ecosystem that brings together academia, industry, startups, entrepreneurs and government.
Inuwa maintained that universities should conduct research informed by industry needs, industries should leverage research to improve productivity and competitiveness, and startups should serve as the bridge that converts ideas into market-ready solutions.
This is even as he encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage technology to build businesses that can grow beyond local markets, explaining that innovation-driven enterprises have the power to scale rapidly, create jobs and position Kano competitively at both national and global levels, as digital platforms and emerging technologies now make it easier for startups to reach wider markets and develop solutions that were previously unimaginable.
The Director-General said: “You can start your business here in Kano, but your thinking must be global from day one. Technology has removed barriers. With the right skills and platforms, a startup in Kano can build solutions that serve not just Nigeria, but the world.”
Highlighting NITDA’s ongoing interventions and its commitment to building national innovation capacity through targeted human capital development programmes, Inuwa cited the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, which aims to equip Nigerians across all segments of society with essential digital skills, and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, designed to produce a pipeline of globally competitive technical professionals in areas such as software development, data analysis and emerging technologies to support his position.
He said: “Through DL4ALL, we are ensuring that Nigerians at all levels have the basic digital skills needed to participate in the digital economy, while 3MTT is deliberately building a pipeline of globally competitive technical talents who can drive innovation, create jobs and attract investment.”
He explained that these programmes are key pillars of the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises skills development, innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth as pathways to national prosperity, stressing that empowering Nigerians with digital and technical skills is essential for building a resilient economy capable of competing in the global digital landscape.
Specifically, he explained that the agenda had to do with investing in people, empowering them with relevant skills and creating opportunities for inclusive growth, adding that NITDA is using digital skills and innovation as tools to translate that vision into real economic impact for Nigerians.
Inuwa urged all stakeholders in Kano to work together to build a functional innovation ecosystem that can unlock the state’s vast potential, expressing optimism that with the right mindset, strong collaboration and sustained investment in digital skills and innovation, Kano can reclaim its leadership role and emerge as a major innovation and entrepreneurship hub in Nigeria and beyond.
