Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has redeemed his pledge to innovators in the state, urging beneficiaries of the grants to view the support as seed funding for greater achievements rather than an endpoint.
Governor Uba Sani speaks after presenting Kaduna’s 2026 budget at the State House of Assembly on December 1, 2025.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has redeemed his ₦30 million pledge to young innovators from the state, providing financial support to advance projects in technology, scientific research and innovation.
The pledge was announced during the 2026 International Youth Day Conference in Kaduna on September 4, with cheques presented to the beneficiaries at the Ministry of Youth Development on Wednesday, September 16.
Among the beneficiaries is a team of computer engineering students from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, developers of a smart walking aid designed to assist visually impaired persons.
Al-Amin Idris and Shamsudeen Jibril, winners of the National Board for Technology Incubation NextGen Challenge, also received financial support.
The intervention also covered Fauziyya Auwal of Kaduna State University, founder of the space technology initiative, Asthera.
Eight microchip designers selected for specialised training under the Kaduna State Human Capital Development Initiative were also supported.
Presenting the cheques on behalf of the governor, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Gloria Ibrahim, said the intervention demonstrates the administration’s commitment to turning youth empowerment promises into practical support.
The commissioner said the ministry was established to support young people and urged the beneficiaries to use the resources to expand their work and contribute to the development of Kaduna State.
She explained that although time constraints prevented some innovators from presenting their projects at the International Youth Day Conference,
Governor Uba Sani directed that they should also benefit from the intervention.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, described the financial support as an investment in the ideas, research and future of Kaduna’s young people.
Maiyaki said the intervention was part of the state government’s broader human-capital development programme, which includes support for education, innovation and exposure of young Kaduna residents to international opportunities.
He urged the beneficiaries to see the grants as seed support for greater achievements, rather than an endpoint.
The commissioner said the government’s responsibility is to create an environment where good ideas can move from laboratories and workshops into practical solutions that improve lives.
For the beneficiaries, the financial support is expected to provide the resources needed to develop their innovations and contribute to technological and scientific development in Kaduna State.
