The Federal Government has announced Katsina State as one of ten locations selected to host a new $10 billion Innovation Hub, designed to drive digital transformation and broadband connectivity across Nigeria.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this during a meeting with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda in Abuja on Monday.
$10bn Innovation Hub to Accelerate Digital Growth in Katsina
According to Tijani, the project is part of the Federal Digital Economy Plan, aimed at expanding Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. He revealed that construction of the Innovation Hub would begin before the end of next year, describing it as “one of the best designed” facilities in the country.
“Katsina is one of Nigeria’s most promising innovation states,” Tijani said. “With the support of Governor Radda, we are confident this project will accelerate digital growth in the North.”
The minister also announced that the state would benefit from five new satellite-based internet sites under the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to improve broadband access, particularly in rural communities.
Radda Commends FG, Pledges Full ICT Partnership
Governor Radda welcomed the announcement, calling it a major boost to his administration’s digital reform agenda. He reaffirmed Katsina’s readiness to collaborate fully with the Federal Government in expanding ICT development.
“ICT is one of our top governance priorities,” the governor said. “We’ve created a Directorate of ICT, trained our workforce, reduced paperwork, and implemented a Treasury Single Account that’s already 85 percent completed.”
Radda noted that his administration had also granted free Right-of-Way (RoW) to broadband investors to improve internet access across public institutions such as schools, hospitals, and ICT centres.
He urged the Federal Government to expand broadband services to rural areas and requested that one of the satellite internet sites be connected to new model schools — a proposal the minister immediately approved.
3MTT Programme to Expand in Katsina
Tijani further revealed that the Federal Government would scale up the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme in Katsina. He said future participants would use the new innovation hub as their operational base.
Commending Radda’s proactive digital policies, Tijani added that Katsina’s strong engagement in federal ICT initiatives almost earned it the headship of one of the country’s major technology agencies.
Katsina Recognised for Strong Digital Collaboration
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Faruk Yabo, praised Katsina’s commitment to digital innovation and collaboration with the Federal Ministry.
“Katsina is very dear to us — not out of sentiment, but merit,” Yabo said. “Most of the plans have reached advanced stages, and the minister has already prioritised them for funding.”
Governor Radda was accompanied by his Principal Private Secretary, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; Special Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs and Development Partners, Hajia Hadiza Maikudi; and Alhaji Shamsu Sule, a board member of the North West Development Commission.
Officials said the meeting further cements Katsina’s position as a leading state in Nigeria’s digital transformation drive.
With the $10 billion Innovation Hub and broadband expansion projects underway, Katsina State is set to become a major hub for digital innovation, ICT training, and broadband connectivity in Northern Nigeria.
