A final-year Ahmadu Bello University Pharmacy student from Katsina has won a N7.5 million MSMEs award for outstanding entrepreneurship.
A 25-year-old entrepreneur from Katsina State, Ibrahim Nuhu, has won a N7.5 million cash prize at the 8th National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinic 2026 Awards.
Nuhu, the Chief Executive Officer of Kosai Republic, received the award sponsored by the Nigerian Export-Import Bank in recognition of his outstanding entrepreneurial achievement.
The award ceremony also featured the launch of a book titled, Building Nigeria, Empowering MSMEs: A Compendium of the Federal Government’s Initiatives and Interventions for Nigerian MSME Growth.
Nuhu, a final-year Pharmacy student at Ahmadu Bello University and an indigene of Kankia Local Government Area of the state, has been described as a model of resilience, innovation and enterprise among the state’s youth.
Congratulating the young entrepreneur, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda described the feat as a proud moment for the state and evidence that youths can excel when provided with the right support and opportunities.
Radda said the award validates the state’s investment in entrepreneurship development and youth empowerment and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and job creation.
Represented at the event by the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and pioneer Director-General of KASEDA, Aisha Aminu Malumfashi, the governor said his administration would continue to support MSMEs.
He noted that Nuhu’s Kosai Republic emerged as one of the success stories of Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency’s (KASEDA) mentorship programme in the state.
The governor acknowledged the contribution of the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Babangida Kabir Ruma, whose guidance helped transform the business into a nationally recognised brand.
He further disclosed that the enterprise also benefited from KASEDA’s interest-free MSMEs loan scheme, an initiative aimed at strengthening small businesses and promoting sustainable economic growth.
He said: “I warmly congratulate Ibrahim Nuhu Kankia on this remarkable achievement. His success is a source of pride to Katsina State and an encouragement to many young entrepreneurs. It shows that with hard work, innovation and the right support, our youths can compete and excel at the national level.”
He urged young entrepreneurs across the state to take advantage of KASEDA’s mentorship, business development and financing opportunities, expressing confidence that Kankia’s success would inspire many others to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions with determination and excellence.
