The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for a shift in Kano State’s economic approach, urging stakeholders to adopt innovation, technology and collaboration as key drivers of sustainable growth in the modern economy.
Inuwa made the call while speaking at the Kano Startup Weekend, where he acknowledged Kano’s historical role as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region. He noted that the state’s long-standing culture of trade, enterprise and rich human capital provides a strong foundation for future economic expansion in the digital age.
According to him, while Kano’s traditional strengths sustained its economic relevance for centuries, innovation and technology now offer even greater opportunities for growth, job creation and global competitiveness.
He described innovation as the process of transforming ideas into practical, market-ready solutions that deliver value and impact. He stressed that invention alone does not drive growth unless ideas are commercialised to solve real problems and generate economic returns.
“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 and turn it into a product or service that creates value, you begin to drive economic growth and inclusion,” Inuwa said.
He noted that Kano’s large population, strategic location and vibrant entrepreneurial culture position the state to benefit significantly from innovation-led development. However, he expressed concern that many tertiary institutions in the state operate independently of industry needs, resulting in research outputs that rarely translate into commercial or industrial applications.
The NITDA boss emphasised that innovation thrives in a connected ecosystem, not in isolation. He called for stronger collaboration among universities, industries, startups, entrepreneurs and government, explaining that academia should focus on industry-relevant research, industries should leverage research for productivity, while startups should convert ideas into scalable solutions.
Inuwa also encouraged entrepreneurs to use technology to build businesses capable of scaling beyond local markets. He noted that digital platforms and emerging technologies have lowered barriers, making it possible for startups in Kano to compete nationally and globally.
“You can start your business in Kano, but your thinking must be global from day one. Technology has removed barriers, and with the right skills and platforms, startups here can build solutions for the world,” he said.
Highlighting NITDA’s ongoing efforts, Inuwa outlined the Agency’s human capital development initiatives, including the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) initiative. He explained that DL4ALL is designed to equip Nigerians with basic digital skills, while 3MTT aims to develop globally competitive technical professionals in areas such as software development, data analysis and emerging technologies.
He said the programmes align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises skills development, innovation, job creation and inclusive economic growth.
“President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is about investing in people and empowering them with relevant skills. At NITDA, we are using digital skills and innovation to translate that vision into real economic impact,” Inuwa said.
He urged all stakeholders in Kano to work collectively to build a functional innovation ecosystem capable of unlocking the state’s vast potential. He expressed optimism that with the right mindset, sustained investment and strong collaboration, Kano can reclaim its leadership role and emerge as a major hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and beyond.
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