The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on Kano State to rethink its economic growth model by placing innovation, technology and collaboration at the centre of its development strategy.
Speaking at the Kano Startup Weekend, Inuwa said Kano’s historic role as a major commercial hub across Northern Nigeria and the Sahel provides a strong platform for the future, but stressed that sustainable growth in the modern economy will be driven by how effectively the state harnesses innovation and digital technology.
According to him, ideas alone are not enough to transform economies unless they are successfully commercialised. He explained that innovation lies in converting concepts into practical products and services that solve real problems, generate value and stimulate inclusive economic growth.
“Invention by itself is a cost centre,” Inuwa said. “It is when ideas are commercialised—turned into products and services that meet real needs—that they begin to drive economic growth and inclusion.”
He noted that Kano’s large population, strategic trading position and entrepreneurial culture give it a natural advantage, but warned that these strengths must now be aligned with innovation-led thinking to remain competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
The NITDA boss also expressed concern over the disconnect between academic research and industry needs, despite the presence of numerous universities and tertiary institutions in the state. He said research outputs from these institutions rarely translate into commercial applications, limiting their economic impact.
Inuwa emphasised that innovation thrives in ecosystems, not in isolation. He called for closer collaboration between academia, industry, startups and government, where universities focus research on industry challenges, businesses leverage research for productivity, and startups bridge the gap by turning ideas into market-ready solutions.
He further encouraged entrepreneurs in Kano to embrace technology as a tool for scale, noting that digital platforms now allow startups to serve national and global markets from any location.
“A startup can begin in Kano, but its ambition must be global from day one,” he said. “Technology has removed many of the traditional barriers, making it possible for local solutions to compete internationally.”
Highlighting NITDA’s role, Inuwa outlined key national programmes aimed at strengthening innovation capacity. These include the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, which targets foundational digital skills across society, and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, designed to produce a pipeline of skilled professionals in areas such as software development, data analytics and emerging technologies.
He said the programmes align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises skills development, job creation and inclusive growth as drivers of national prosperity.
“By investing in digital skills and innovation, we are empowering Nigerians to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and positioning the country for long-term competitiveness,” Inuwa added.
He concluded by urging public and private stakeholders in Kano to build a cohesive innovation ecosystem, expressing confidence that with sustained collaboration and investment in digital capacity, the state can re-emerge as a leading centre for entrepreneurship and innovation in Nigeria and beyond.