The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its dedication to establishing the nation as a global leader in technology innovation and entrepreneurship.
This commitment was highlighted by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, during the closing ceremony of the iHATCH startup incubation programme’s third cohort in Abuja.
The iHATCH programme, a collaboration between NITDA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is designed to foster a robust tech ecosystem in Nigeria.
This initiative aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), focusing on forging strategic partnerships and nurturing an innovative entrepreneurial environment.
Inuwa emphasized that the programme supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda of accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation. “The iHatch programme is fostering a thriving ecosystem for startups, empowering the next generation of tech innovators in Nigeria,” Inuwa stated.
Reflecting on the programme’s success, Inuwa noted the expansion of the third cohort to five locations—Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Gombe—due to the positive outcomes of the first two cohorts. “We trained 16 startups with 32 participants, and they have created a combined total of 179 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs,” he added.
The programme, which began in 2022, is designed to address social issues through innovative solutions, create employment opportunities, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development. It supports young entrepreneurs by pairing founders with co-founders, guiding them through the incubation process, and teaching them the fundamentals of building a business from scratch.
Inuwa challenged the participants to contribute to building a mentoring platform, promising NITDA’s continued support. He also urged JICA to consider expanding the initiative to all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory. “At NITDA, we see this initiative as a gateway to not only enhancing local initiatives but also exploring opportunities to export Nigerian talents to Japan,” Inuwa said.
Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria. He emphasized that Japan’s support extends beyond technical assistance, focusing on partnerships that facilitate knowledge exchange. “As these startups advance, I foresee stronger collaboration between Nigerian and Japanese companies, leveraging each other’s strengths for mutual prosperity,” Kazuyoshi remarked.
Kazuyoshi highlighted that since the programme’s inception in 2021, it has empowered early-stage businesses dedicated to addressing societal challenges through innovative technologies. He praised the 10 standout ventures showcased at the event, noting Japan’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and commended the iHatch 3 participants. “This is not just about technology; it is about making our country proud and showcasing that Nigerian youth are innovative and creative,” he said.
One of the winners, Abubakar Umar, founder of Northinho, expressed his gratitude to NITDA and JICA for the intensive training. He encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to remain persistent in their endeavors. “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,” Umar advised.
Three startups were awarded cash prizes: Northinho received $15,000, Dorpals Technologies received $12,000, and Connected received $10,000.
