Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has been actively working to position Nigeria as a global tech hub. The iHatch Startup Incubation Program, a collaborative effort between NITDA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), recently completed its third cohort. This milestone highlights the commitment of both organizations to nurturing local startups.
The closing ceremony in Abuja was a celebration of the program’s achievements and its effectiveness in spurring technological innovation and entrepreneurship across Nigeria. Inuwa and Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, emphasized the program’s pivotal role in driving economic growth and creating new job opportunities.
Inuwa’s focus on job creation has yielded impressive results, with the first two cohorts generating 179 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs. This statistic underscores his belief that cultivating a robust tech ecosystem is crucial for national economic diversification and resilience. The expansion of the third cohort into five locations across Nigeria demonstrates NITDA’s commitment to ensuring that aspiring entrepreneurs nationwide benefit from the program’s resources and mentorship opportunities.
During panel discussions, the challenges faced by emerging entrepreneurs were candidly addressed. Issues such as funding access, market penetration, and talent acquisition surfaced as significant barriers to success. Kashifu Inuwa’s leadership has been characterized by an unwavering commitment to empowering young people and fostering tech-driven solutions.
He believes that the future of Nigeria hinges on its ability to harness the creativity and talent of its youth. By facilitating knowledge exchanges between Nigeria and Japan, Inuwa has opened doors for collaboration and innovation, aligning with global best practices that can elevate Nigerian startups on the international stage.
Through initiatives like the iHatch program, NITDA not only addresses economic challenges but also contributes to the broader narrative of Nigeria’s digital transformation. As the nation strives for diversification and global competitiveness, the efforts of Kashifu Inuwa and NITDA are essential in nurturing the tech landscape and fostering a new generation of innovators.
