The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has urged the Kano State Government to implement initiatives that leverage innovation to reshape the state’s economic future.
Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday. She quoted the agency’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, who spoke at the Kano Startup Weekend.
Inuwa called on stakeholders to embrace innovation, technology, and collaboration as key drivers of growth in the 21st century. He acknowledged Kano’s long-standing reputation as the commercial hub of northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region, noting that its rich history of trade, enterprise, and human capital provides a strong foundation for future development.
“The strengths that have powered Kano’s success for centuries now present even greater opportunities through innovation and technology,” he said.
He defined innovation as “the process of transforming ideas into impactful solutions through commercialization. When ideas are effectively deployed, they create value, solve societal challenges, and generate sustainable economic growth.”
Inuwa highlighted Kano’s large market, strategic location, and vibrant entrepreneurial culture as factors positioning the state to take advantage of innovation-driven opportunities.
“Commercializing an idea—turning it into a product or service that solves a real problem—drives economic growth and inclusion,” he added.
The NITDA chief also noted that while Kano hosts numerous degree-awarding institutions, many operate in isolation from industry realities, with research outputs rarely translating into commercial or industrial applications.
He said NITDA is committed to strengthening national innovation capacity through targeted human capital development programmes. He cited the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, which equips Nigerians with basic digital skills, and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, designed to produce globally competitive technical professionals.
“Through DL4ALL, Nigerians at all levels acquire the basic digital skills needed to participate in the digital economy. The 3MTT programme is deliberately building a pipeline of globally competitive technical talents who can drive innovation, create jobs, and attract investment,” Inuwa said.
