DG NITDA
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Abdullahi, says the agency is dedicated to establishing Nigeria as a leading centre for technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
He made the remarks during the closing ceremony and Demo Day of the idea hatch (iHatch) start-up incubation programme Cohort 3, in Abuja.
The NITDA DG emphasised the agency’s ongoing efforts to support innovation and entrepreneurship through initiatives like iHatch.
He explained that the programme, launched in 2022 in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to address social challenges through innovative solutions, create job opportunities, and enhance Nigeria’s economic growth.
“The initiative is designed to support young entrepreneurs by pairing founders with co-founders, guiding them through the incubation process, and teaching them the fundamentals of building a business from the ground up. The goal is to help them transform their ideas from inception into impactful ventures,” he said.
According to him, from 2022 to 2023, the programme fostered the creation of 16 startups, which, in turn, established 116 new ventures. These startups have generated 179 direct jobs and over 1,400 indirect jobs.
“Notable successes include Zolani Health, which secured a $155,000 grant; Better Life, which raised $60,000 in investments; and Gift to Your Soul, which received an $8,000 grant. These achievements were supported by seed funds provided by JICA,” the NITDA DG noted.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for their support of Nigeria and praised the participants of the iHatch 3 incubation programme.
Represented by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, the Minister acknowledged the efforts of the youth involved, emphasising that their contributions extend beyond technology and enterprise.
“This is not just about technology; it’s about making our country proud and showcasing that Nigerian youth are innovative and creative,” Tijani said. “You are contributing significantly to societal development, and I am extremely proud of each and every one of you for stepping up and making this presentation,” he said.
Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, who expressed enthusiasm for the programme’s progress, highlighted Japan’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria.
He underscored that Japan’s support extends beyond mere technical assistance, focusing on building partnerships that facilitate knowledge exchange.
“As these startups advance, I foresee a stronger collaboration between Nigerian and Japanese companies, leveraging each other’s strengths for mutual prosperity,” Kazuyoshi stated.
Abubakar Umar, founder of Northino and winner of the iHatch Cohort 3 startup incubation programme, expressed his gratitude to NITDA and JICA for their intensive training. Umar promised to utilise the prize funds to advance his venture and encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to remain persistent in their endeavours.
“Believe in what you do, even if your ideas are still evolving. Keep working on your projects, and one day you will look back and appreciate how far you’ve come,” Umar advised.
Northino is an inclusive e-learning platform offering localised digital skill courses aimed at empowering millions of African native speakers and integrating them into the global workforce.
NITDA and JICA awarded Northino the first prize of $15,000, Dorpals Technologies the second prize of $12,000, and Connected the third prize of $10,000.
