Vice President Kashim Shettima says Katsina State is leading efforts to revive Northern Nigeria’s legacy of enterprise and innovation, describing the state as a model for job creation and youth empowerment.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking Monday at the graduation ceremony of the Dikko Social Innovation Academy (DSIA) and the first edition of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Awards in Katsina, Shettima praised Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for his administration’s focus on entrepreneurship and economic reform.

“Katsina is bringing back the spirit of creativity and hard work that once defined Northern Nigeria,” Shettima said. “This state is showing that our region can rise again through enterprise, unity, and innovation.”

He said the North has a long history of trade, learning, and craftsmanship, noting that Katsina once served as a hub for scholars and traders who influenced culture and commerce across West Africa. The vice president urged Nigerians to embrace the same entrepreneurial spirit to overcome unemployment and poverty.

Shettima highlighted the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) as an example of how government can support small businesses. He said the agency’s programs have created opportunities for young people to turn ideas into profitable ventures.

Governor Radda said his government established the DSIA to train young innovators in business development and social entrepreneurship. He explained that the academy’s first cohort of 18 fellows completed a six-month program, while a new batch of 30 participants has already begun training.

“We are building a new generation of innovators who can solve problems and create jobs,” Radda said. “Our focus is to help small businesses grow and make Katsina a centre of productivity in Northern Nigeria.”

The governor also said the new MSME Awards aim to encourage entrepreneurship and recognize outstanding achievements among small business owners. He announced that the overall winner would receive a car, while other finalists would get financial and technical support.

The Director General of KASEDA, Aisha Aminu, said the agency’s five-year strategic plan will guide the development of MSMEs across the state. She added that Katsina is partnering with private investors and development agencies to provide training, funding, and mentorship.

Aminu noted that the DSIA was modeled after similar innovation programs in East Africa and has already begun attracting attention from other Nigerian states.

Shettima urged political leaders, business owners, and traditional institutions to unite in fighting insecurity and poverty. “We have no business fighting each other,” he said. “Our real challenge is building a future of prosperity for our people.”

The vice president said Katsina’s success aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which focuses on empowering citizens through job creation, industrialization, and enterprise development.

Analysts say the initiative could have a major impact on Northern Nigeria’s economy if it continues to receive government and private-sector support. The state’s growing focus on MSMEs and innovation could also help reduce youth unemployment and strengthen local industries.

Katsina, known historically for its trade routes and craftsmanship, has faced economic challenges in recent years due to insecurity and low industrial activity. The new enterprise drive, experts say, marks an important shift toward rebuilding that lost heritage through modern, technology-driven businesses.

Shettima concluded by urging other northern states to learn from Katsina’s example. “What we are witnessing here is not just a Katsina story,” he said. “It is the rebirth of Northern Nigeria’s legacy of enterprise.”

The event ended with the presentation of awards to outstanding entrepreneurs and a call for more collaboration between government, business leaders, and youth innovators to sustain the momentum of change in the region.