Katsina State has taken a major step in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, becoming the first state to fully implement a Startup Law with the inauguration of key institutions to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on Tuesday inaugurated the Katsina State Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, alongside a Startup Fund and a Startup Consultative Forum aimed at supporting founders, attracting investors, and scaling tech-driven businesses.
The move builds on the Nigeria Startup Act, which provides a framework to support innovation, create jobs, and attract investment across the country.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Abdulkadir Nasir Mamman, the governor said the new council marks the transition from policy to implementation, describing innovation as central to economic growth rather than a peripheral concern.
He said the Startup Law is designed to create jobs, enable young entrepreneurs to turn ideas into viable businesses, and position Katsina as an investment destination.
Industry reports show the state has also backed the initiative with funding, including a startup grant and investment fund of at least ₦250 million annually to support emerging businesses.
Director-General of the Katsina Directorate of ICT, Naufal Ahmad, said the framework now provides a structured system where startups can access support and investors can engage with confidence.
The council, chaired by Governor Radda, will provide strategic direction, shape policy, remove barriers, and foster partnerships to grow the state’s innovation ecosystem.
Officials say the impact is expected to cut across key sectors, including agriculture, health, education, and manufacturing, with success measured by job creation, startup growth, and increased investment inflows.
