Kano’s culture, creativity can drive jobs, investment – Garo tells NIPSS

By Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano

Kano State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, has described the state’s rich cultural heritage, creative talent and entrepreneurial activities as important resources capable of driving job creation, investment and economic growth.

Garo stated this when participants of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Senior Executive Course 48, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to him during their study tour of Kano State.

The delegation, led by Brigadier General L.A. Jimoh (Rtd), mni, Member of the Directing Staff at NIPSS, was received by Garo on behalf of the Executive Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The 10-month course is examining the theme, “Economic Diversification and National Development: Leveraging the Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth in Nigeria.”

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The Orange Economy, also known as the creative economy, covers economic activities driven by creativity, culture, ideas and intellectual property, transforming talent and cultural expression into products, services, jobs and income.

In Kano, such activities include film, fashion, leather and textile production, crafts, literature, performing arts, tourism and other creative ventures.

NIPSS seeks insights into Kano’s creative economy

Explaining the purpose of the study tour, Brigadier General Jimoh said the participants would engage relevant institutions and stakeholders to gather information that would contribute to a report to be submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We are not here to investigate Kano State. This is not an investigative panel. We are simply here as Nigerians to collect information that will help Mr. President develop the Orange Economy,” he said.

He said the engagement would enable the participants to gain practical knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing the creative economy and entrepreneurship sector.

Garo highlights government initiatives

Garo said Kano’s cultural heritage could be transformed into economic opportunities through deliberate investment in creativity, entrepreneurship and human capital development.

He noted that the state government had introduced economic empowerment initiatives covering skills acquisition, access to finance, business development services, innovation and market access.

According to him, the initiatives are aimed at helping young people transform their skills and ideas into sustainable livelihoods while encouraging them to become job creators rather than solely job seekers.

He stressed that greater attention to Kano’s creative industries could help unlock new opportunities for employment, enterprise development and private-sector investment.

Awards presented

The occasion also featured the presentation of commemorative awards to Governor Yusuf and Deputy Governor Garo.

Brigadier General Jimoh received a souvenir on behalf of the delegation, while Garo assured members of the team that individual souvenirs would be presented to them subsequently.

Jimoh expressed appreciation to the Kano State Government for the warm reception and hospitality extended to the participants, describing the activities planned for the week as promising.

The study tour forms part of NIPSS’s broader effort to examine practical approaches to economic diversification and identify opportunities through which Nigeria can harness its creative industries and entrepreneurial potential for sustainable development.