NITDA DG Urges for Innovation-Led Economic Rebirth at Kano Startup Weekend

 

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has advocated for a paradigm shift in Kano State’s economic strategy, urging stakeholders to embrace innovation, technology and collaboration to bolster growth in the 21st century.

Inuwa, while speaking at the Kano Startup Weekend, acknowledged Kano’s long-standing reputation as the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahelian region, adding that its history of trade, enterprise and human capital provides a solid foundation for future growth.

NITDA DG emphasised that while these strengths powered Kano’s success for centuries, the modern economy now offers even greater opportunities through innovation and technology.

He 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.

According to him, Kano’s large market, strategic location and vibrant entrepreneurial culture place it in a strong position to take advantage of innovation-driven opportunities.

“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,” he stated.

He also acknowledged that the state hosts numerous degree-awarding institutions across federal, state and private ownership, providing a strong base for human capital development.

He lamented that these institutions often operate in isolation from industry, with research outputs rarely translating into commercial or industrial applications.

He explained that innovation does not happen in silos and harped on the need for a strong, interconnected ecosystem that brings together academia, industry, startups, entrepreneurs and government.

Inuwa averred that universities should conduct research informed by industry needs; industries should leverage research to improve productivity and competitiveness, while startups should serve as the bridge that converts ideas into market-ready solutions.

He also advised entrepreneurs to leverage technology to build businesses that can grow beyond local markets, highlighting that innovation-driven enterprises have the power to scale rapidly, create jobs and position Kano competitively at both national and global levels.

The NITDA boss emphasized that digital platforms and emerging technologies now make it easier for startups to reach wider markets and develop solutions that were previously unimaginable.

In his words: “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.”

The Director General, while highlighting the NITDA’s ongoing interventions, outlined the Agency’s commitment to building national innovation capacity through targeted human capital development programmes.

He mentioned 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.

“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 added.

He announced that these programmes are key pillars of 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 affirmed that empowering Nigerians with digital and technical skills is essential for building a resilient economy capable of competing in the global digital landscape.

“President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is about investing in people, empowering them with relevant skills and creating opportunities for inclusive growth. At NITDA, we are using digital skills and innovation as tools to translate that vision into real economic impact for Nigerians,” he explained.

Inuwa encouraged all stakeholders in Kano to work together to build a functional innovation ecosystem that can unlock the state’s vast potential.

He also reassured that with the right mindset, strong collaboration and sustained investment in digital skills and innovation, Kano can salvage its historic leadership role and emerge as a major innovation and entrepreneurship hub in Nigeria and beyond.