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Nigeria breaks ground on $50M emerging tech hub in Kano to fast-track digital rconomy, agri-innovation.
In a landmark move to harness youth talent and secure Nigeria’s tech-driven future, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has commenced construction of the Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) at Bayero University Kano (BUK). Funded under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, the 30-hectare facility will anchor Africa’s push for self-reliance in AI, robotics, and sustainable agriculture.
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Key Features of SETI
- AI & Robotics Innovation Labs: Equipped with advanced tools for machine learning, automation, and smart manufacturing.
- 24/7 Green Energy Supply: Solar-powered infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted R&D.
- Agri-preneurship Training Hub: A 10-hectare facility at BUK’s Old Campus for soil-less farming, tissue culture, and modern greenhouse tech.
- Industry-Academia Partnerships: Collaboration with global tech giants to align curricula with market demands.
“SETI will produce world-class innovators who’ll redefine Nigeria’s global tech standing. Our 3Cs—Collaboration, Creation, Commercialization—will bridge gaps between labs and markets, turning ideas into industries,” said
Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI CEO.
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, hailed the project.
“SETI is Nigeria’s ace in securing socio-economic resilience. By 2030, this hub will position Kano as Africa’s answer to Silicon Valley in agri-tech and AI.”
SETI: Expected Impact
- Youth Unemployment Crisis: Targets 10,000 direct jobs by 2027, with 70% slots reserved for Kano’s youth.
- Food Security: Agri-preneurship Hub to boost crop yields via AI-driven precision farming, addressing Nigeria’s $10B annual food import bill.
- Global Competitiveness: Aligns with NASENI’s mandate to localize 60% of Nigeria’s tech infrastructure by 2030.
Academic Synergy
Professor Sagir Abbas, BUK Vice-Chancellor, noted:
“SETI merges government, academia, and industry—the ‘golden triangle’ for economic transformation. This hub will fast-track Nigeria’s shift from resource dependency to knowledge-based prosperity.”
Projections & Partnerships
- $500M FDI Target: NASENI eyes partnerships with MIT, Google AI, and the African Development Bank.
- Startup Incubation: 500 early-stage tech ventures to receive seed funding by 2026.
- Gender Inclusion: 40% female enrollment quota to bridge STEM gaps.
Broader Impact
SETI’s launch coincides with Nigeria’s push to expand its digital economy, projected to hit $180B by 2030. The institute will serve as a testing ground for the National AI Strategy and Nigeria’s bid to lead Africa’s Fourth Industrial Revolution.
