NITDA’s ihatch Ignites Innovation Surge
TECH DIGEST– Over 11,000 visionary startup founders eagerly vie for a spot in the National Information Technology Development Agency’s (NITDA) ihatch startup incubation program’s third cohort.
The Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, unveiled this surge in applications spanning all six geopolitical zones during the program’s 2nd cohort demo day and 3rd cohort opening ceremony in Abuja.
In a bid to bolster opportunities for Nigerian youth, Inuwa urged Japan to establish strategic talent partnerships, emphasizing the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population. The 5-month ihatch incubation program, conducted by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) in collaboration with Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), aims to refine tech entrepreneurs’ ideas through coaching, lectures, and boot camps across Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Gombe, and Kano.
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Notably, the previous cohorts yielded success stories, with 16 startups creating 179 direct jobs in agriculture, health, education, and e-commerce. Inuwa highlighted the agency’s commitment to implementing the Nigeria Startup Act, fostering innovation, and generating employment for the youth.
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment commended NITDA’s initiatives, echoing the call for Nigeria to become a global talent destination. JICA’s contributions to the tech ecosystem were also acknowledged. The Japanese Ambassador praised Nigerian startups’ resilience in addressing societal challenges and recognized digitization as pivotal for economic diversification.
The ihatch program’s impact was further exemplified by the cash prizes awarded to top startups at the event – Fundus AI securing $15,000 for the 1st position, Reno receiving $12,000 for the 2nd position, and Ilim Tutors earning $10,000 for the 3rd position. This gathering of public and private sector representatives underscores the collaborative effort to drive technological innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
