FG to Build $10bn Innovation Hub in Katsina — Bosun Tijani

The Federal Government has selected Katsina State as one of ten states to host a new $10 billion Innovation Hub designed to fast-track Nigeria’s digital transformation and expand broadband connectivity nationwide.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, announced this on Monday during a meeting with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda in Abuja.

Tijani described the hub as one of the flagship projects under the federal digital economy plan, noting that construction is expected to begin before the end of next year.

“Katsina is one of Nigeria’s most promising innovation states,” the minister said. “With the support of Governor Radda, we are confident this project will accelerate digital growth in the North.”

He also revealed that Katsina would benefit from five new satellite-based internet sites under the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), aimed at improving broadband access in rural communities.

Governor Radda welcomed the development, describing it as a significant boost to his administration’s digital reform agenda.

“ICT is one of our top governance priorities,” Radda 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.”

He added that the state had granted free Right-of-Way (RoW) to broadband investors to facilitate internet access in public institutions such as hospitals, schools, and ICT centres. Radda also requested that one of the new satellite sites be linked to model schools in the state — a proposal the minister promptly approved.

Tijani further disclosed plans to expand the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme in Katsina, noting that participants would later use the innovation hub as their operational base.

Commending Governor Radda’s leadership, the minister stated that Katsina’s active involvement in digital projects had nearly earned it the leadership of a major national ICT agency.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Faruk Yabo, praised the Katsina government’s collaboration, saying several projects were already nearing approval.

“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 reinforced Katsina’s position as one of Nigeria’s emerging leaders in digital innovation and technology development.