KCI Awareness Conference at ABU Zaria Attracts Youth Participation
By Idris Umar, Zaria
An awareness and knowledge-sharing conference organized by the KALM Community Initiative (KCI) at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria was held successfully, drawing the attendance of many young people, educators, and government officials. The focus of the event was to explore ways to empower youth through modern technology and digital innovation.
In his speech, the head of the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA) revealed that the Kano State Government has committed to training 1.5 million youths between 2025 and 2027. The training will focus on areas of modern technology that are increasingly relevant today, such as the use of digital devices, content creation, and coding.
The training program is structured into three levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—to accommodate participants based on their capacity and prior knowledge. Reports show that over 150,000 youths have already begun the pilot phase of the program, with more than 1,100 having completed their training at various tech learning centers in Kano.
One of the flagship components of the initiative is the HEAT Challenge, which encourages young people to develop innovative tech-based solutions to problems in four key sectors: health, education, agriculture, and transportation. Participants with the most promising solutions will receive government support, including funding and logistical assistance to establish their own tech-based startups.
According to the KASITDA director, the government also plans to extend this training to schools and rural communities—not just urban centers—ensuring that every young person has a fair chance to benefit, regardless of location. The goal is to move youths away from over-reliance on government jobs and toward entrepreneurship and digital self-sufficiency.
For its part, KCI reiterated its mission to open doors of opportunity for youth, especially those with talent and ideas but lacking the tools or platforms to implement them. In partnership with KASITDA, the organization hopes to see young people trained, supported, and empowered to stand on their own and contribute meaningfully to society.
At the end of the event, the program coordinator, Ms. A’isha Muhammad, expressed her satisfaction with how smoothly the conference went and the positive response it received from all stakeholders. She noted that the conference achieved its objectives and inspired attendees with hope and confidence in a brighter future.
The event concluded peacefully, with participants leaving in high spirits and renewed determination to pursue the promising opportunities ahead.
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