The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on stakeholders in Kano State to adopt innovation, technology and collaboration as key drivers of economic growth in the modern era.
Speaking at the Kano Startup Weekend, Inuwa noted that Kano’s long history as a commercial hub in Northern Nigeria and the Sahel region provides a strong foundation for future prosperity. However, he stressed that sustained growth in the 21st century must be powered by innovation and technology.
He described innovation as the transformation of ideas into marketable solutions that create value, solve societal problems and drive inclusive economic growth. According to him, Kano’s large market, strategic location and vibrant entrepreneurial culture position the state to benefit significantly from innovation-led development.
Inuwa expressed concern that many tertiary institutions in the state operate in isolation from industry, resulting in research outputs that rarely translate into commercial or industrial applications. He emphasised the need for a connected innovation ecosystem that brings together academia, industry, startups and government.
He urged entrepreneurs to leverage digital technologies to build scalable businesses capable of competing beyond local markets, noting that technology has removed traditional barriers to growth.
The NITDA boss also highlighted the agency’s human capital development initiatives, including the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) initiative, aimed at equipping Nigerians with essential digital and technical skills.
According to him, the programmes align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises skills development, innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth.
Inuwa called for sustained collaboration among all stakeholders, expressing confidence that with the right mindset and investment in digital skills and innovation, Kano can emerge as a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and beyond.
