In a remarkable achievement, Mr. Sahal Muhammad, CEO of Arewa Tech, has designed and built an affordable elevator, challenging the market dominance of foreign elevator brands.
Speaking exclusively to Daily News 24, Muhammad shared that the high cost of imported elevators motivated him to create a more cost-effective solution.
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“Our elevator, which serves a single floor, costs just N3 million, compared to a foreign elevator that covers three floors and costs around N28 million,” he explained.
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“While we may not have all the advanced features yet, such as emergency hardware, touch screens, and calling buttons, we are working towards incorporating them in the future.” He added.
Muhammad’s journey in the tech industry in Kano State began just eight months ago with the founding of Arewa Tech. Despite the short time frame, his company has already achieved significant milestones. Besides the elevator, Arewa Tech has developed a radio, an induction cooker powered by sunlight, and smart home gadgets that utilise AI to control appliances.
However, Muhammad highlighted the challenges of securing investments, pointing to a lack of confidence in technology in Africa and Nigeria.
“We rely on profits from our gadgets to fund our projects,” he noted. “We aim to create electric cars and bikes, with or without sponsorship, to reduce importation and promote local innovation.” He stated.
Currently, Muhammad is working on a solar industrial cooker and a solar-powered pumping machine for farmers, projects that are also intended to generate employment opportunities. He advised young inventors to be self-reliant and not depend solely on government support.
“Don’t focus on getting support; use your profits to sponsor your future projects,” he emphasized. “If you rely on government or organizations, your dream will die. Build yourself, and the government will find you.”
Muhammad also called on the government to support the younger generation in building a better Nigeria, stressing the importance of reducing importation and promoting local innovation.
With Arewa Tech at the forefront, the future of Nigerian technology appears bright. Muhammad’s story is a testament to the power of innovation and determination, paving the way for a new era of local technological advancement.
