The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for a fundamental shift in Kano State’s economic strategy, urging stakeholders to adopt innovation, technology and collaboration as key drivers of sustainable growth in the 21st century.
Inuwa made the call while speaking at the Kano Startup Weekend, where he acknowledged Kano’s historic role as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahelian region. He noted that the state’s long-standing tradition of trade, enterprise and rich human capital provides a strong foundation for future economic expansion, particularly in the modern, innovation-driven economy.
He described innovation as the process of transforming ideas into impactful, market-ready solutions through effective commercialisation. According to him, while invention alone can be costly, the true economic value lies in turning ideas into products and services that solve real problems, create value and drive inclusive growth.
Inuwa observed that Kano’s large market, strategic location and vibrant entrepreneurial culture position the state to benefit significantly from innovation-led opportunities. However, he expressed concern that many degree-awarding institutions in the state often operate in isolation from industry, resulting in research outputs that rarely translate into commercial or industrial applications.
He stressed that innovation thrives within an interconnected ecosystem involving academia, industry, startups, entrepreneurs and government. He explained that universities should align research with industry needs, industries should apply research to boost productivity and competitiveness, and startups serve as the bridge that converts ideas into viable, market-ready solutions.
The NITDA boss also encouraged entrepreneurs in Kano to leverage technology to build scalable businesses capable of competing beyond local markets. He noted that digital platforms and emerging technologies have significantly lowered barriers to entry, enabling startups to access national and global markets.
“You can start your business in Kano, but your thinking must be global from day one. Technology has removed many barriers, and with the right skills and platforms, startups can build solutions that serve not just Nigeria, but the world,” he said.
Highlighting NITDA’s ongoing interventions, Inuwa outlined the agency’s commitment to strengthening national innovation capacity through targeted human capital development initiatives. He cited the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme, aimed at equipping Nigerians with essential digital skills, and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) initiative, designed to produce globally competitive technical professionals in areas such as software development, data analysis and emerging technologies.
According to him, these programmes align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises skills development, innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth as pathways to national prosperity.
He urged stakeholders in Kano to collaborate in building a functional and sustainable innovation ecosystem capable of unlocking the state’s vast economic potential. Inuwa expressed confidence that with the right mindset, strong partnerships and sustained investment in digital skills and innovation, Kano can reclaim its historic leadership position and emerge as a major hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and beyond.
