Governor Uba Sani has delivered on his ₦30 million promise to young innovators. He provided direct financial support to boost promising projects in technology, scientific research, and innovation.
The grant was announced during the 2026 International Youth Day Conference in Kaduna on 4 September. However, the cheques were handed to the beneficiaries at the Ministry of Youth Development on Wednesday 16 September.
Among the beneficiaries is a group of computer engineering students from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. They developed a smart walking aid for visually impaired persons. Al-Amin Mohammed Idris and Shamsudeen Jibril also received support. They are winners of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) NEXTGEN Challenge.
Fauziyya Muhammad Auwal from Kaduna State University (KASU) also got support. She is the founder of the space technology initiative ASTHERA. Auwal is Nigeria’s first female astronaut candidate with Titan Space Industries and the first female analogue astronaut selected for the 2026 LunAres Research Station mission in Poland.
Eight microchip designers were also given financial help. They were selected for special training under the Kaduna State Human Capital Development Initiative.
Gloria Ibrahim, the Commissioner for Youth Development, presented the cheques on behalf of the Governor. She said this support shows the administration’s commitment to turning youth empowerment promises into real help.
“His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani decided to provide financial support to these young people to help them take their innovations further,” the Commissioner added.
Ibrahim highlighted that the Ministry was set up specifically to support young people. She expects them to use these resources to build their future, grow their work, and bring more recognition to Kaduna State.
She mentioned that some innovators could not present during the International Youth Day Conference due to time limits. The Governor directed that they should also benefit from this support.
At the presentation, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the ₦30 million support shows the administration’s focus on investing in young people, education, and innovation.
“This ₦30 million is an investment in your ideas, research, and future,” Maiyaki said. He added, “Governor Uba Sani is investing in the next generation. We expect you to turn this support into deeper research, stronger innovations, and practical solutions that can compete anywhere in the world.”
Maiyaki said this support is part of a bigger plan for youth and human-capital development. He mentioned that state support has helped local innovators find international opportunities and form partnerships in areas like renewable energy and rural electrification.
He also pointed out the administration’s investment in educational infrastructure. This includes an eight-kilometre road project at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Young people have also been included in governance, with over 40 percent of political appointees under 40 years old.
Maiyaki encouraged the beneficiaries to see the grants as seed support for bigger achievements, not the end of the road.
“What matters ultimately is not the amount given today, but what you create with it. Kaduna has many talented young people who can develop solutions to real problems. The government’s job is to create the right environment, open doors, and provide support that allows great ideas to become solutions that improve lives.
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