Sometimes back in December 2023, Fmr. Gov Elrufai announced his initiative of coming up with venture capital/private equity firm, Afri-Venture Capital Company Limited which will focus on nurturing Nigerian Innovators and Entrepreneurs especially in the tech ecosystem.
It was even more fascinating when he revealed that the plan was to launch a $100 million venture capital fund for startups in Nigeria, particularly those in the Kaduna tech ecosystem. Kaduna which is also popularly known as the “Centre of Learning” and in other words “ Cibiyar Arewa” coupled with the increasing number of tech startups whom have represented Nigeria in tech expos across the world i.e Gitex etc is undoubtedly best bet for any North-centered tech initiative.
The politicization of the Arewa Tech Fest by fmr Gov. Nasir El-Rufai has not only altered the event’s focus but also led to an exclusionary approach that downplays the strategic importance of Kaduna State, the very location where expectedly the whole initiative was conceived and where El-Rufai served as Governor for 8 years. The former governor’s decision to shift the focus of the initiative away from Kaduna is deeply intertwined with his curent political dynamics and his supposed fallout with the state government. This exclusion has raised questions about his initial commitment to tech development in the state and now the entire Arewa region and exposed the extent to which political considerations have overshadowed the objectives of the initiative. Kaduna State under El-Rufai’s administration from 2015 to 2023 was positioned as a burgeoning hub for technology and innovation in Northern Nigeria. During his tenure, El-Rufai took strides to establish Kaduna as a model state in terms of public sector reforms, digital governance and youth empowerment initiatives like the Click-on-Kaduna Program, Kaduna Technology City etc. It was within this context that the Arewa Tech Fest was envisioned as an event to spotlight North’s emerging tech ecosystem, draw attention to its economic potential and foster regional collaboration in technology.Having a history of the #KadInvest which was an annual event, The tech festival too is supposedly intended to be an annual event, providing a consistent venue where stakeholders from across the region could converge. As the home of several tertiary institutions and a growing community of young tech enthusiasts, Kaduna is well-suited to serve as the base for the whole initiative and the tech festival. Kaduna offers a conducive environment for fostering innovation and tech entrepreneurship, with local policies aligned to support such growth.However, the dynamics changed dramatically following the probe by the Kaduna State House of Assembly into El-Rufai’s administration, focusing on allegations around financial mismanagement and other dealings during his tenure. This probe has strained the relationship between El-Rufai and Kaduna state, resulting in his distancing himself from state affairs and any event associated with it, including many significant events that have happened in the state. In light of these tensions, the festival has conspicuously moved away from Kaduna with El-Rufai seemingly opting to hold the maiden event of the Initiative erstwhile launching the event in neighboring Kano State. This decision to exclude Kaduna —the epicenter of the tech in the north—not only undermines the state’s role in the regional tech ecosystem but also suggests that political disagreements have taken precedence over the core mission of promoting technological advancement in the North.
By sidelining Kaduna State from the Arewa Tech Festival, El-Rufai is missing an opportunity to leverage the state’s significant potential as a tech hub. Despite his fallout with the current administration, the festival should transcend political affiliations and be grounded in principles that prioritize regional development and community engagement. Kaduna with its extensive infrastructure, academic institutions, and growing tech community remains one of the most viable locations in the North for such an event especially the maiden edition. Failing to include Kaduna in the festival’s plans for political reasons raises questions about the motivations behind El-Rufai’s involvement in the tech space. If the goal is truly to foster innovation and support young entrepreneurs, then the festival’s venue should be determined based on the capacity and readiness of the location to host such an event—not political convenience. By sidelining Kaduna, the festival loses a unique opportunity to tap into the state’s resources and existing momentum, potentially stalling the growth of the tech ecosystem that had begun to take root during El-Rufai’s administration. Fmr. Gov. El-Rufai’s decision to pivot the festival away from Kaduna can be seen as emblematic of a broader issue: the use of developmental initiatives as tools for political leverage rather than genuine community engagement. His reluctance to engage with Kaduna following the probe into his administration’s activities suggests that his commitment to the region’s tech development may be conditional on maintaining political influence and control. This undermines his previous efforts to position himself as a champion of innovation and youth empowerment.Moreover, it is troubling that El-Rufai, who once lauded Kaduna as a prime location for technology and economic growth is now willing to overlook the state’s potential due to political discord. If his dedication to tech development in northern Nigeria were sincere, the ongoing disagreements with the state government should not deter him from involving Kaduna’s tech community and even hosting the festival in Kaduna State. After all, the festival’s impact should be measured by its ability to inspire and empower young innovators not by its adherence to shifting political allegiances.For the Arewa Tech Festival to regain its legitimacy and achieve its intended impact, it must adopt a more inclusive and politically neutral stance. This means actively engaging with Kaduna’s tech community, regardless of the former governor’s personal or political challenges. The festival should not be weaponized as a means to exclude or punish states based on political disagreements as doing so only deprives our dear Northern Nigeria of much-needed platforms for collaboration and growth.It’s also important to note that the festival should prioritize its original mission which aims to create opportunities for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, innovators and investors and to address the systemic challenges facing our dear country through technology. The exclusion of Kaduna undercuts these objectives, making it imperative for the organizers to reconsider the current direction and ensure that no state is marginalized for political reasons.One would want to believe that the Arewa Tech Festival was established with the noble intention of bridging the digital divide and fostering technological innovation in northern Nigeria. However, its trajectory has been marred by political interference and personal vendettas that have led to the exclusion of key stakeholders, including Kaduna State.
Fmr Gov. El-Rufai’s decision to distance the festival from Kaduna due to his fallout with the current state administration is a disservice to the broader goals of regional development and tech empowerment.Fmr Gov. El-Rufai must recognize that the festival’s success hinges on its ability to remain apolitical and inclusive.
The exclusion of Kaduna, a state with significant potential to drive the North’s tech ecosystem only serves to weaken the festival’s impact and diminish its credibility. By prioritizing political considerations over developmental goals, the Arewa Tech Festival risks becoming yet another casualty of Nigeria’s polarized political landscape rather than the beacon of innovation and opportunity it was meant to be.
Mal. Suraj Bamalli is a Tech Enthusiast and a passionate indigene of Kaduna State.