Zaria is set to become a hub of ideas, innovation, and opportunity as Innov8Zaria 2.0 begins in just two days. Scheduled for January 23-24, organised by the Startup Zaria Innovation Development Centre and sponsored by The GirlTech Vision.
The two-day event will feature a Tech Conference and a vibrant Community Marketplace, bringing together young innovators, entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry leaders.
With the theme “Workforce Beyond Borders,” Innov8Zaria 2.0 focuses on preparing young people for a future where skills, talent, and opportunity are no longer limited by geography. The event aims to expose participants to global career paths, remote work opportunities, digital skills, and new ways of building sustainable careers in today’s connected world.
The tech conference will host panel sessions, talks, and discussions led by professionals across technology, business, and innovation. Attendees can expect practical insights on building digital careers, launching startups, and positioning themselves for opportunities beyond their local environment.
Tech and career conference (Jan 24)
The Tech Conference on Day Two will run from 9:30am to 1:30pm and feature a carefully curated programme focused on preparing young people for global opportunities.
The event will open with a welcome address by the Director General of the National Institute for Technology and Innovation (NITT), followed by a keynote by the Director General of KASITDA, setting the tone for innovation-driven development in Kaduna State.
Startup Zaria founder, Ila Bappa Ibrahim, will present the community’s vision and unveil Startup Zaria’s next product, reinforcing the role of local platforms in enabling global participation.
Special talks will explore the realities of a borderless workforce. Mu’azu Usman Ibrahim will speak on “Tax Reform and the Digital Workforce,” addressing the policy side of remote and digital work, while Sabbah Nazrul Islam will deliver a session on “Building Global Careers Without Borders,” focusing on how young Africans can access international opportunities.
Two panel discussions will anchor the day. The first, “Founders, Freelancers and Designers in a Borderless Workforce,” will bring together practitioners already navigating global work, including Safwan Idris, Dr. Abdurrasheed A.S., Salisu Gaya Zubair, and Abubakar Sadeeq Umar, moderated by Rahma Azeez.
The second panel, “Building Ecosystems for Global Talent Growth,” moderated by Bello Yusuf Yusuf, will examine how communities, institutions, and platforms can support young people to compete globally.
The programme will also feature a spoken word performance by Aminu Tagwaye, President of ZLS, a sponsor spotlight by Maryam Yunus Lawal of The GirlTech Vision, and closing remarks by Ila Bappa Ibrahim, before transitioning into networking and media engagement.
Innov8Zaria Marketplace (Jan 23)
Alongside the conference is the Innov8Zaria Marketplace, a platform for local vendors, startups, and creatives to showcase products and services, connect with customers, and build partnerships. The marketplace highlights the entrepreneurial spirit within Zaria and creates a bridge between local innovation and wider markets.
Innov8Zaria was created to address the gap in access to mentorship, exposure, and opportunity for young people in Zaria. Since its first edition, the initiative has worked to connect talent with resources, support networks, and real-world pathways in technology and entrepreneurship.
Speaking on the vision of the event, the organisers note that Innov8Zaria is not just about technology, but about possibility – helping young people in Zaria see that their ideas, skills, and ambitions can travel far beyond their immediate environment.
With only two days to go, anticipation continues to build across the city. Participants are expected from across Zaria and beyond, making Innov8Zaria 2.0 a landmark moment for Northern Nigeria’s growing tech and innovation ecosystem.
As the countdown reaches its final hours, Innov8Zaria stands ready to inspire a new generation to think globally, build boldly, and step into a workforce without borders.
