The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, has challenged Nigerian startups to develop innovative solutions capable of addressing the country’s most pressing economic and societal challenges.
Abdullahi gave the charge while inaugurating the Builders Festival, an initiative designed to connect Nigerian startups with investors, potential customers, corporate organisations and institutions seeking technology-driven solutions.
The event, held on the sidelines of the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE), aims to bridge the gap between problem owners and technology innovators while creating opportunities for collaboration, investment and business growth.
READ ALSO: NITDA Seeks Stakeholders Input to Review Digital Strategy
The NITDA Director-General urged entrepreneurs to prioritise solving real-life problems rather than concentrating solely on developing impressive technologies.
He noted that Nigeria’s challenges, particularly in healthcare, agriculture and small business financing, present significant opportunities for technology-driven innovation.
According to him, digital health solutions could improve access to healthcare, while agricultural technologies providing weather forecasts, soil information, planting guidance and market access could enhance farmers’ productivity and incomes.
Abdullahi disclosed that NITDA’s research indicated that 80 per cent of Nigerian adults wanted access to telemedicine, but only 19 per cent had used the service.
He also highlighted the difficulties facing farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in accessing markets and bank credit.
He challenged startups to develop digital tools that would help SMEs maintain proper financial records, demonstrate business performance and build the transparency required to access financing.
“The goal is not to be in love with your technology, but to be in love with the problem you are solving. It’s about how your solutions can help millions of Nigerians improve their productivity and national prosperity,” he said.
The NITDA boss stressed that technology development alone does not guarantee commercial success, adding that innovations must translate into measurable improvements in productivity, reduced costs, increased incomes and better living standards.
He further encouraged founders to build scalable solutions capable of competing in international markets while contributing to national economic growth.
Abdullahi revealed that more than 1,388 startups applied to participate in the Builders Festival, but only about 30 were selected.
He congratulated the successful participants and urged them to measure their achievements by the number of lives and businesses their innovations positively impact.
The Builders Festival is a strategic partnership between NITDA and Tech Revolution Africa aimed at strengthening connections among startups, investors, corporate organisations and institutions with technology-related challenges.
