Venue: Professor Bjorn Beckhman Hall, CITAD, Kano
Date: 20th September 2025
Organized by: Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) joined the global community
to commemorate World Software Freedom Day 2025, held on 20th September 2025 at
Professor Bjorn Beckhman Hall, Kano.
The annual event serves as a platform to celebrate open-source technologies, promote
digital freedom, and inspire innovation through collaboration and knowledge sharing. This
year’s theme emphasized the role of open-source software in driving Africa’s digital future and
reducing dependency on monopolized platforms.
Objectives of the Event
● To raise awareness on the importance of software freedom and open-source
technologies.
● To showcase innovative open-source projects developed by local talents.
● To discuss strategies for Africa’s digital transformation and the role of open-source in
that journey.
● To build networks among developers, innovators, policymakers, and community
stakeholders.
● To highlight government commitments towards digital infrastructure and data
sovereignty.
The event was attended by a wide range of participants, including youth, innovators,
developers, and policymakers.
Key dignitaries and representatives included:
● Hon. Yusuf Sharada, Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Digital Economy,
who delivered a goodwill message stressing the importance of youth engagement in ICT
as a tool for sustainable development and community inclusion.
● A representative from the Kano State Ministry of Science and Technology, who
reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing a state-owned data center,
aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure and ensuring greater control and security
over the state’s data.
Key Presentations and Activities
1. Ibrahim Nuhu
Delivered a lecture on Why Software Freedom Matters for Africa’s Digital Future
2. Suhail Sani
○ Delivered a session on how open-source software empowers individuals and
communities.
○ Gave a walkthrough of the Fediverse, explaining platforms such as Mastodon,
PeerTube, and Matrix as alternatives to monopolized digital ecosystems.
3. Abubakar Muhammad
○ Presented an open-source password manager.
○ Demonstrated how the tool uses strong cryptographic tokens for authentication,
ensuring that user data remains encrypted and accessible only by rightful users.
4. Umar Farouk Labaran
○ Introduced Agaji AI, an open-source innovation for accident and emergency
response.
○ The system enables quick interventions during emergencies by sending
automated alerts through speech-to-text or text-to-speech messages to
designated contacts.
Other Activities
● A presentation on “Why Software Matters for Africa’s Digital Future”, highlighting the
opportunities and challenges in adopting open-source technologies across the continent.
● A session on “Transitioning from Monopoly to the Fediverse”, advocating for
decentralized alternatives that promote freedom and inclusivity.
● An open-source exhibition, where innovators showcased their projects, demonstrating
the diversity and potential of community-driven technologies.
Key Outcomes
● Increased awareness and understanding of open-source technologies among
participants.
● Stronger connections between innovators, policymakers, and the tech community.
● Positive commitment from the Kano State Government towards digital infrastructure,
particularly through the planned state-owned data center.
● Inspiration for youth participants to explore and contribute to open-source
development.
● Demonstrated potential of locally developed innovations such as Agaji AI in addressing
real-world challenges.
The World Software Freedom Day 2025 celebration at CITAD was a resounding success. It
brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, and the tech community to
explore how open-source can foster digital freedom, innovation, and inclusion.
