Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to position the state as the industrial hub of Northern Nigeria through sustained local content development, support for manufacturers and digital innovation.
The governor made this known on Thursday at the 47th Kaduna International Trade Fair, where he declared that economic transformation must be home-grown to be sustainable.
Represented by the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Mrs Patience Fakai, he stressed that “economic transformation cannot be imported” but must be built from within.
He commended the theme of this year’s fair, “ _From Reforms to Results: Economic Transformation Through Sustained Local Content Development,”_ describing it as timely and aligned with his administration’s reform agenda.
According to him, Kaduna is deliberately empowering farmers, supporting manufacturers, digitising enterprises and enabling innovators to drive productivity and create jobs.
He said the state is laying a solid foundation for industrial growth anchored on local talent and resources.
The governor listed the remodelling of Panteka Market, promotion of agro-processing and value addition, and expansion of digital innovation hubs and technology ecosystems as key initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s productive capacity.
He added that procurement policies that prioritise local businesses and improved access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups are central to the administration’s economic strategy.
Explaining the concept of local content development, Governor Sani said it means ensuring that “Kaduna talent, Kaduna resources and Kaduna enterprises are at the centre of Kaduna’s growth story.”
He noted that innovation remains the bridge between policy reforms and tangible economic results.
He further stated that the government is advancing digital skills development, particularly for youth and women, to prepare them for opportunities in emerging sectors. “Kaduna is not only open for business but ready for the future.
“We are building an ecosystem where creativity meets capital, where ideas become enterprises and where innovation drives productivity,” he said.
Describing the Kaduna International Trade Fair as one of West Africa’s foremost economic platforms, the governor said it offers opportunities to showcase indigenous products and services, strengthen trade relations, attract investment and promote inter-state and regional collaboration.
He called on investors, entrepreneurs and development partners to deepen collaboration with the state, assuring them that Kaduna remains a credible and reliable partner.
“When local businesses thrive, communities prosper. When innovation expands, opportunities multiply. When partnerships deepen, transformation accelerates,” he added.
