The Kano State Government has set out on a bold mission to train 1.5 million youths in digital skills by 2027, a move many experts see as a turning point for both the state’s economy and Nigeria’s wider digital future. In a country where youth unemployment remains a daunting challenge, Kano’s decision to invest in its young people through technology education is more than just a policy—it is a statement of intent.
The initiative is being implemented under the Digital Economic Policy and Transformation Agenda through the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA). The Director-General, Bashir-Abdu Muzakkari, unveiled the plan at a Youth Impact Forum organised by the KALM Community Initiative (KCI) in Zaria. According to him, the training will be delivered in three stages—basic, intermediate, and advanced—and will cover a wide range of digital skills.
Kano has already tested the waters with a pilot scheme that engaged 150,000 youths, demonstrating both the demand and the feasibility of the project. Early success stories are also emerging: over 1,150 young people have graduated from programmes at the Kano State Entrepreneurship Institute and the Kano State Institute for Information Technology in Kura. These graduates represent the first wave of a much larger ambition, one that seeks to equip young people across every corner of the state with marketable digital skills.
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From Pilot to Full-Scale Roll-Out
The initial pilot was not just a trial run—it was proof that young people are eager to learn, adapt, and build careers in the digital economy. With the framework now tested, the focus has shifted to scaling up. KASITDA, working alongside KCI and other partners, plans to replicate the youth interface programme in tertiary institutions and community spaces across Kano.
The numbers are staggering: reaching 1.5 million youths in less than three years will require coordinated planning, resources, and collaboration. But officials are optimistic. By breaking the training into levels and embedding it in schools, training centres, and local communities, the programme is designed to reach both urban and rural youths.
For many young Nigerians, this could be the lifeline they have been waiting for. Digital skills are increasingly becoming gateways to employment, whether in software development, online content creation, e-commerce, or remote freelancing. By targeting such a massive audience, Kano State is hoping to spark a ripple effect that goes beyond its borders, positioning itself as a hub of digital talent in northern Nigeria.
Innovation in Action: The HEAT Hackathon
Training alone is not enough; what happens after is equally important. To bridge the gap between learning and real-world application, KASITDA is launching a creative competition called the HEAT Hackathon. The acronym stands for Health, Education, Agriculture, and Transportation—four sectors in desperate need of innovation.
The hackathon invites young participants to come up with digital solutions that address challenges in these sectors. Ideas with strong potential will not be left on the shelf. Instead, the government, through KASITDA, has committed to providing funding and incubation support for promising projects. In fact, the call for applications has already attracted over 200 entries.
This approach ensures that the initiative is not only about equipping young people with skills, but also about creating opportunities for them to turn those skills into businesses, services, and social innovations. A young software developer, for example, could design an app to improve patient records in rural hospitals. A creative entrepreneur might develop an online platform that connects farmers to markets. These are not distant dreams—they are real possibilities the hackathon aims to unlock.
Lighting the Spark of Digital Potential
While the state government and KASITDA provide structure and resources, the KALM Community Initiative offers the human touch that makes this effort personal. Founded by Aisha Muhammad, KCI has become a bridge between policymakers and the young people whose lives the programme seeks to change. At the Zaria forum, Ms. Muhammad spoke passionately about the need to ignite the “dreams and ambitions” of young Nigerians, many of whom lack opportunities despite their immense talent.
The event itself brought together a mix of students, content creators, software developers, and blockchain experts, creating a vibrant environment where knowledge was shared and networks were formed. For participants, the forum was more than just another policy announcement—it was a chance to see a clear path to the future.
KCI plans to expand its reach, working with state actors and stakeholders to replicate this model beyond Kano. The goal is to tackle youth unemployment on a wider scale by encouraging technology-driven solutions across Nigeria. If successful, this initiative could serve as a blueprint for other states grappling with similar challenges.
Conclusion
Kano State’s decision to train 1.5 million youths in digital skills is more than a headline—it is a commitment to building a new generation of tech-savvy Nigerians. By combining structured training with innovation platforms like the HEAT Hackathon, and by leveraging community organisations like KCI, the state is addressing both the supply of skills and the demand for innovation.
The road ahead will not be easy. Scaling such an ambitious project requires sustained funding, careful monitoring, and continuous adaptation. But the potential rewards are immense: reduced unemployment, stronger economic participation, and a new class of digital entrepreneurs who can compete globally.
For the young people of Kano, the message is clear: the future is digital, and the door is opening wide. What remains is for them to step through, seize the opportunity, and help shape not just the future of their state, but of Nigeria as a whole.
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