CITAD is proud to announce the 4th edition of the Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS2023), scheduled for October 25th and 26th, 2023. This year’s summit theme is “Social Media in Post-Election Agenda Setting, Accountability, and Citizens Oversight.”
The event will feature eight plenaries and 24 breakout sessions, with a diverse panel of speakers from various backgrounds and professions. The venue for this exciting gathering is Bayero University, Kano.
The Kano Social Influencers Summit 2023, where we will explore the role of social media in shaping post-election agendas, promoting accountability, and empowering citizens to oversee governance.
In 2019, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) initiated the Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS) with the aim of creating a platform where personalities, organizations, institutions, social influencers, academics, activists, and stakeholders from both within and outside the country could come together. This groundbreaking event was held at the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies (Mambayya House) in Kano and featured 25 plenaries and breakout/parallel sessions, drawing an impressive attendance of over 400 participants.
The impact of the inaugural summit was significant, but the world faced unprecedented challenges in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, leading to the unfortunate cancellation of the event. However, in 2021, KANSIS made a powerful comeback, hosting its second edition with thirty plenaries and breakout sessions over two days. Over 400 people gathered in person this time, while more than 300 participants joined online.
The success of KANSIS continued in 2022, marking its third iteration. The event took place at the Digital Bridge Institute in Kano, where more than 500 participants attended physically, and an additional 500 joined virtually from different parts of the country.
The core objective of KANSIS is to create a dynamic space for stakeholders to share their experiences and present innovative ideas on deploying social media and digital technology in the development process, particularly in enhancing transparent and accountable governance.
Over the years, KANSIS has hosted esteemed personalities and dignitaries who have shared their insights and expertise. Previous speakers have included luminaries such as:
– Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami (former Minister, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy)
– Malam Kashifu Inuwa (Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency)
– Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima, Africa Director of MacArthur Foundation
– Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta (Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission)
– Prof. Attahiru Muhammad Jega (former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission)
– Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim (Senior Fellow, Centre for Democracy and Development)
– Prof. Abdallah Uba Adamu (former Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria)
– Malam Ibrahim Tihze (Chairman, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria)
– Ene Obi (Country Director, Action Aid International)
– Alhaji Usman Alhaji (former Secretary to the Kano State Government)
– Dr. Chris Kwaja (acting Country Director, United States Institute of Peace)
– Adaora Ikenze (Head, Public Policy, West and Central Africa Facebook)
– Saudatu Mahdi (Executive Secretary, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative)
– Mallam Isa Surajo (State Team Lead, Partners to Engage, Reform and Learn Kano), and many more.
