ABU-NITDA IT Hub Unveils Nine Startups at Zaria Digital Empowerment Summit 2025
Zaria, Nigeria – February 22, 2025
In a groundbreaking showcase of innovation and entrepreneurship, the ABU-NITDA IT Hub, Iya Abubakar Institute of ICT (IAIICT) unveiled nine promising startup teams from various departments of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. These startups pitched their cutting-edge solutions at the Zaria Digital Empowerment Summit 2025, an event organized in collaboration with Mu-Inganta Hub at the CBN Centre of Excellence, ABU Zaria.
The summit brought together a dynamic mix of tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, fostering an ecosystem of creativity and problem-solving. In a remarkable show of support for young innovators, the Director of the CBN Centre of Excellence, Prof. Auwalu Haruna, donated the sum of ₦90,000 to the participating startups, recognizing their potential to drive technological advancement and economic growth.
The highly anticipated Saturday event also featured a vibrant exhibition and vendor space, where over 20 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) showcased their products and services, further enriching the summit’s atmosphere of collaboration and business networking.
The event featured distinguished speakers, including Prof. Auwalu Haruna, Director of the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, Muhammad Shuaibu Umar, Director of IAIICT, and Prof. M.B. Mu’azu of Computer Engineering, among others. These leaders shared valuable perspectives on the role of IT Hubs in digital transformation and technological empowerment in Northern Nigeria. The Director of IAIICT, Muhammad Shuaibu Umar, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, emphasizing the university’s commitment to fostering technological innovation. Also in attendance were Engr. Bashir Sani, Deputy Director of IAIICT; Dr. Isah Shittu from the Department of Accounting; Dr. Abdulsalam I. Galadima, Director of the Equipment Maintenance and Development Centre (EMDC); Alhaji Sahabi Yahuza Ishaq, Secretary of the Division of Agricultural Colleges (DAC); and Dr. Abdullahi T. Sharubutu from the Department of Business Administration.
Commitment to Incubation & Startup Growth
In line with its vision to support and nurture emerging innovations, the ABU-NITDA IT Hub announced its commitment to onboarding these startups into its incubation program. The initiative aims to provide mentorship, technical guidance, and business development support, helping these startups scale their solutions and make a lasting impact.
Meet the Startups
The nine startups unveiled at the summit:
- CogniEdufy – AI-powered personalized virtual learning.
- Hostel Alt – A seamless apartment-hunting platform for ABU students.
- IMPETUS – A decentralized, community-driven funding platform for essential projects using blockchain technology.
- Unimats – A Microsoft Word add-in that automates and standardizes academic writing and formatting for theses, dissertations, and research reports.
- EcoSort – An AI-powered waste sorting system that automates waste segregation using computer vision and machine learning to improve recycling efficiency.
- AquaBotix – An IoT-based system designed to monitor and regulate oxygen levels in fish ponds, ensuring optimal water quality for healthy aquatic life.
- UNICOURSE – A Telegram-based mini-app that provides students with easy access to learning resources.
- QuillQuest – A platform that connects writers and readers.
- TerraQuench – A water filtration and cooling system designed to provide clean and safe drinking water for communities without access to electricity.
With such a strong lineup of startups, the Zaria Digital Empowerment Summit 2025 has reinforced Ahmadu Bello University’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges.
Engr. Salisu Zubairu Gaya
Coordinator, ABU-NITDA IT Hub
