Tinubu’s wife to launch FG innovation initiative in Kano
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He added that innovators, start-ups, manufacturers, investors, and development finance institutions are also expected to take part, alongside traditional rulers and community leaders.
Kano State is set to become the focal point of a new federal push to drive innovation and industrial growth, as the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, prepares to formally unveil the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) initiative.
The three-day programme, scheduled to begin on April 23, 2026, will mark the national launch of the initiative alongside its deployment in the North-West zone.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, said the programme is aimed at translating ideas into commercially viable products while attracting investment into key sectors of the economy.
He explained that the initiative is being driven by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology as part of broader efforts to stimulate industrial production and economic diversification.
According to Waiya, the launch event will draw a wide range of participants, including federal and state officials, governors’ spouses from the North-West, as well as representatives of academic and research institutions.
He added that innovators, start-ups, manufacturers, investors, and development finance institutions are also expected to take part, alongside traditional rulers and community leaders.
Activities lined up for the event include a high-level panel discussion focusing on collaboration between federal and state governments to strengthen innovation and industrialisation efforts.
There will also be a mini exhibition showcasing selected homegrown innovations, providing a platform for interaction between creators and potential investors.
Waiya described the hosting of the launch as a significant moment for Kano and the wider North-West, noting that it positions the region within the centre of Nigeria’s transition towards an innovation-led economy.
He expressed confidence that the programme would unlock local talent, boost enterprise development, and contribute to long-term economic prosperity across the country.
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