The Federal Government in Nigeria says it is working towards positioning the country as a leading force in technological innovation and entrepreneurship globally.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) stated this in Abuja, Nigeria, during the closing ceremony and Demo Day of the idea hatch (iHatch) start-up incubation programme Cohort 3.
The Idea Hatch (iHatch) programme is a collaborative initiative between NITDA and the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA).
The programmes provides free, five-month intensive training that includes coaching, lectures, and boot camps. It supports innovation-driven enterprises across sectors like ICT, healthtech, fintech, and agritech.
The NITDA boss highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts to support innovation and entrepreneurship through initiatives like iHatch.
“This partnership is a significant stride in our ongoing efforts to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria, aligning with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) pillars of Forge Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration; and Nurture an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem,” he said
Inuwa said in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s priority area of Accelerating Diversification through Industrialisation, Digitisation, Creative Arts, Manufacturing and Innovation, “IHatch programme is fostering a thriving ecosystem for startups, empowering the next generation of tech innovators in Nigeria.”
He recalled 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.
The NITDA DG noted that from 2022 to 2023, the programme boosted the creation of 16 startups, which in turn, established 116 new ventures and 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.
Inuwa challenged participants to contribute to building a mentoring platform, promising NITDA’s support, and urged JICA to consider expanding the initiative to cover all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the agency sees this as a gateway to not only enhance local initiatives but also explore opportunities to export Nigerian talents to Japan.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for their support to Nigeria and applauded the participants of the iHatch 3 incubation programme.
Represented by Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, 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.
“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.
One of the winners of the iHatch Cohort 3 startup incubation programme, Mr. Abubakar Umar, founder of NORTHINHO expressed 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.
Northintho 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.
Three startups were awarded cash prizes; Northinho recieved $15,000, Dorpals Technologies received $12,000, while Connected received $10,000.
