By Oluwole Alao

In total alignment with the presidential priority area of Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth and Accelerating Diversification through Industrialisation and Digitisation, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has announced the nationwide expansion of the Hub Managers training programme in harnessing technological innovation to improve the lives of Nigerians, create jobs and foster economic diversification.

The DG made this known at the iHatch Cohort 4 -Onsite Training for Hub Managers, which was organised by the agency in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) at the Hotel De Horizon, Wuse 2, Abuja.

The on-site training programme, which had 37 hub managers from the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, will empower hubs to build robust incubation systems to support startups locally, develop strong regional ecosystems through partnerships and engagement, enhance their operational and mentorship capacity and provide access to international exchange programmes towards the adoption of best global practices.

While emphasising the current administration’s commitment to reforming the economy for sustained and inclusive growth, Inuwa highlighted that the key to achieving this goal lies in leveraging digital technology at the grassroots level to solve local problems across various sectors, including agriculture and small-scale trade.

“We don’t want technological innovation to be concentrated only in Lagos and Abuja. We want to take it to the grassroots and use it to solve real-life problems. That is why we designed the iHatch initiative,” he noted.

Inuwa disclosed that the pilot phase of the iHatch, which was conducted in Abuja, successfully trained 50 startups, which led to the creation of 179 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs, Inuwa stated that the expansion of the initiative to accommodate all the 37 states will create 740 direct jobs and 7,400 indirect jobs before the end of the year.

He said, “this initiative will domesticate innovation in states and enable start-ups solve real-life problems in areas of agriculture, healthcare, transportation and other sectors, that are peculiar to their different states”.

While stressing that innovation thrives in clusters where critical stakeholders can exchange ideas and incubate solutions, the NITDA DG underscored the importance of collaboration, networking and ecosystem development in driving innovation.

“To sustain this initiative, we must build a strong community where startups, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders can continuously share ideas and collaborate. We don’t want startups to just pass through the programme; we want them to remain within the iHatch ecosystem because we want this initiative to expand to all the 774 local governments of the country.” Inuwa explained.

He noted that in addition to job creation and ecosystem building, the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Startup Act, which aims to provide legal backing and incentives for startups.

Inuwa therefore urged the participants in the iHatch programme to act as champions in their respective states, spreading awareness about the Act and encouraging other startups to register and benefit from its provisions.

“In line with the president’s mandate, our ultimate goal is to see every Nigerian digitally literate, using technology to access government and private sector services. We also want our market women to leverage technology to expand their businesses,” he added.

He stated that the iHatch model ensures investment in local capacity where national potentials can be unleashed, he said “we at NITDA are proud to walk this journey with you. Let’s keep building, let’s keep innovating, and let’s continue to shape the future of Nigeria, one innovation at a time.”

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has announced the launch of iHatch Cohort 4, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem. Set to run from October 2024 to January 2025, the program will provide targeted support to 185 startups and 37 innovation hubs across Nigeria.

This initiative is part of NITDA’s Digital Economy Policy, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. It focuses on fostering economic diversification, creating jobs, and driving Nigeria’s digital economy by empowering startups with tailored mentorship, training, and investment readiness.

Building the Future of Entrepreneurship
The iHatch Cohort 4 program is uniquely designed to benefit both startups and innovation hubs. Startups will receive the tools and mentorship needed to refine business models, develop scalable products, and connect with potential investors.

Meanwhile, innovation hubs will enhance their capacity to serve as sustainable incubators for local entrepreneurs, ensuring long-term ecosystem growth.

“iHatch Cohort 4 will accelerate the growth of the startup ecosystem across Nigeria by equipping innovators with the knowledge, resources, and funding they need to turn their ideas into impactful businesses,” said Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator of the Office of Nigerian Digital Innovation.

“Through our partnership with JICA and local innovation hubs, we are building a more inclusive and vibrant digital economy in Nigeria.”

Programme Highlights
The program’s comprehensive features include:

Nationwide Reach: Support for startups across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Sectoral Focus: Special attention to startups in fintech, agritech, healthtech, logistics, edtech, and civic tech, with tailored support for innovation and scalability.

Capacity Building for Hubs: Training for innovation hubs to enhance mentorship, facilities, networking, and funding access.

Demo Day and Investment Opportunities: A platform for startups to pitch their ideas to investors and stakeholders, aiming for funding and partnerships.

Targeted Outcomes
The program has ambitious goals, including:

• Incorporation of 90% of participating startups with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
• Development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) by 80% of startups.
• Securing investments for 30% of startups.
• Creation of 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
• Sustainability for 70% of startups six months post-program.

A Transformational Initiative for Nigeria
iHatch Cohort 4 is a key step in actualizing Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

By focusing on innovation-driven enterprises (IDEs), the program aims to address local challenges while boosting Nigeria’s global competitiveness in the digital sector. It also complements the Nigerian Startup Act by fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurs.

Call to Action
Applications for startups and innovation hubs are now open! Innovators and ecosystem builders are encouraged to apply at programs.startup.gov.ng/ihatch and follow NITDANigeria and ONDINigeria on social media for updates.

About NITDA
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is committed to driving Nigeria’s IT sector through policies, standards, and initiatives that foster a sustainable digital economy.

About JICA
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supports global development through financial and technical assistance, with a mission to promote economic growth and sustainability worldwide.

For media inquiries, contact:
Mrs. Hadiza Umar, fnipr, f.apra
Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations, NITDA.

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