The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for a strategic rethinking of Kano State’s economic development approach, urging stakeholders to embrace innovation, technology and collaboration as the main drivers of sustainable growth in the modern economy.
Speaking at the Kano Startup Weekend, Inuwa acknowledged Kano’s historic role as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahelian region, noting that its long tradition of trade, enterprise and human capital provides a strong foundation for future prosperity. He stressed, however, that while these strengths sustained Kano for centuries, the evolving global economy now demands innovation-led growth powered by technology.
He described innovation as the transformation of ideas into impactful, market-ready solutions, explaining that true economic value is created when ideas are commercialised to solve real societal challenges. According to him, Kano’s large market size, strategic location and vibrant entrepreneurial culture position the state to benefit significantly from 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 an idea is commercialised into a product or service that creates value, it becomes a driver of economic growth and inclusion,” Inuwa said.
The NITDA boss noted that Kano hosts numerous federal, state and private tertiary institutions, which provide a strong base for human capital development. He expressed concern, however, that many of these institutions operate in isolation from industry, resulting in research outputs that rarely translate into commercial or industrial applications.
He emphasised that innovation thrived within an interconnected ecosystem, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, startups, entrepreneurs and government. According to him, universities should align research with industry needs, industries should leverage research to boost productivity, while startups should serve as the bridge that converts ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions.
Inuwa also encouraged entrepreneurs to harness digital technologies to build businesses capable of scaling beyond local markets. He explained that innovation-driven enterprises can grow rapidly, create jobs and position Kano competitively at national and global levels, as digital platforms and emerging technologies continue to lower barriers to market entry.
“You can start your business here in Kano, but your thinking must be global from day one. Technology has removed barriers, and with the right skills and platforms, a startup in Kano can serve not just Nigeria, but the world,” he noted.
Highlighting NITDA’s 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 professionals in software development, data analysis and other emerging technologies.
He explained that the programmes align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritised skills development, innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth. According to him, investing in digital and technical skills is critical to building a resilient economy capable of competing in the global digital space.
Inuwa urged stakeholders in Kano to work collectively to build a functional innovation ecosystem capable of unlocking the state’s vast potential. He expressed confidence that with the right mindset, sustained collaboration and investment in digital skills and innovation, Kano can reclaim its historic leadership role and emerge as a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and beyond.
