The Federal Government has unveiled an inspiring vision to position the country as a global leader in technology innovation and entrepreneurship. The bold aspiration was articulated by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, during the closing ceremony of the iHATCH start-up incubation programme’s third cohort in Abuja.
The iHATCH programme, a collaborative effort between NITDA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is a cornerstone initiative aimed at cultivating a dynamic tech ecosystem in Nigeria. Inuwa emphasised that this partnership is in line with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which places a strong emphasis on strategic collaborations and fostering innovation across the nation.
“The iHATCH programme is pivotal in nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for startups, empowering the next generation of tech innovators, and driving Nigeria towards becoming a global technology hub,” Inuwa stated.
He further linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s broader focus on industrialization, digitisation, and innovation as key pillars for national development.
In his address, Inuwa highlighted the programme’s remarkable achievements, noting that the first two cohorts of iHATCH led to the creation of 179 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs. The success of these cohorts has spurred the expansion of the third cohort to five key locations across the country: Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Gombe.
“Our goal is to equip young entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to transform their innovative ideas into successful, scalable ventures,” Inuwa explained. He also challenged the participants to develop a mentoring platform to further support emerging startups and urged JICA to consider expanding the program nationwide to maximize its impact.
The event also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in Nigeria’s tech journey.
Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s entrepreneurial development. He stressed the significance of knowledge exchange and collaboration between Nigerian and Japanese companies, highlighting the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, lauded the participants for their dedication and expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for their continued support of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
The event also celebrated the achievements of the programme’s participants, with three startups receiving cash prizes to further develop their ventures. Northinho, founded by Mr. Abubakar Umar, was awarded $15,000, while Dorpals Technologies received $12,000, and Connected was granted $10,000.
Expressing his gratitude, Umar praised NITDA and JICA for their intensive training and support. He emphasized the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship, saying, “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 have come