The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has urged Kano State to leverage digital skills and innovation as key drivers for empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and boosting economic growth. He emphasized that technology-driven strategies are essential for strengthening the state’s economy and enhancing competitiveness.
Speaking at the Kano Start-up Weekend, Inuwa highlighted Kano’s historic role as a commercial hub in Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region, noting that its legacy of trade, enterprise, and human capital provides a strong foundation for modern, innovation-led growth. “Innovation is the process of taking an idea from inception to impact. Invention on its own is a cost centre, but when you commercialize an idea and turn it into a product or service that solves a real problem, that is when economic growth and inclusion begin,” he said.
The NITDA chief stressed the importance of a connected ecosystem that brings together universities, industries, start-ups, and government to drive innovation. He noted that while Kano hosts numerous degree-awarding institutions, research outputs often fail to translate into commercial or industrial applications. “Universities should align research with industry needs, industries should leverage research to improve productivity, and start-ups should act as the bridge converting ideas into market-ready solutions,” he said, adding that entrepreneurs must think globally from day one.
Inuwa also highlighted NITDA’s ongoing human capital initiatives, including the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) initiative. DL4ALL aims to equip Nigerians with essential digital skills, while 3MTT focuses on building a pipeline of technical professionals in software development, data analysis, and emerging technologies. These programmes align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes skills development, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.
The NITDA Director-General called on stakeholders in Kano to collaborate in building a functional innovation ecosystem. He expressed confidence that sustained investment in digital skills, technology, and partnerships would enable the state to reclaim its historic leadership role and emerge as a hub for MSME development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
