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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has laid the foundation for the $10.4 million Renewed Hope Startup Hub in Abuja, an innovation facility supported by the Japanese government to accelerate digital entrepreneurship, technological development and job creation among Nigerian youths.

The project, located in Wuye, Abuja, is being funded through a grant from the Japanese government, facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The facility is designed to provide young innovators and emerging businesses with access to advanced technology, research facilities, hardware prototyping equipment, business incubation, mentorship and international partnerships.

Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony, the First Lady described the initiative as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to harness technology for economic diversification, youth empowerment and inclusive development.

She commended the Japanese government and JICA for supporting the project, describing the partnership as a demonstration of international confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy and the innovative potential of its youthful population.

According to her, the startup hub aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on entrepreneurship, digital skills, sustainable employment and economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

Mrs Tinubu urged NITDA to ensure that the facility, when completed, would serve innovators from across the country rather than being restricted to entrepreneurs in Abuja.

“To our young innovators, this Startup Hub is yours. You can arrive here with a sketch and leave with a working prototype that takes you into the global market space,” she declared.

She expressed optimism that the facility would become a platform for transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable products and globally competitive enterprises.

The First Lady emphasised the importance of creating an enabling environment where young Nigerians could acquire practical skills, access modern equipment, collaborate with industry experts and develop solutions to pressing societal challenges.

In his opening remarks, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the project as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and a demonstration of the growing partnership between Nigeria and Japan in digital transformation.

Inuwa said the facility would provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs to transform creativity into sustainable businesses, develop indigenous technological solutions and compete in international markets.

He disclosed that NITDA’s innovation programmes had supported more than **995 startups and contributed to the creation of over 7,596 jobs within three year, reflecting the agency’s commitment to entrepreneurship and digital economic growth.

According to him, more than 300 companies had benefited from NITDA’s digital export acceleration programme, while 1,752 women had participated in the agency’s We Elevate initiative.

The NITDA chief explained that the agency had expanded its innovation programmes beyond major commercial centres to ensure that entrepreneurs in underserved communities could participate in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

He cited the I-Hatch programme, implemented in collaboration with JICA, as an example of how targeted partnerships could strengthen innovation capacity nationwide.

Inuwa disclosed that the programme began in 2023 as a pilot involving eight startups in Abuja before expanding to three states in 2024.

Between 2025 and early 2026, the initiative trained 333 startups across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside 74 innovation hub managers.

He said the expansion demonstrated the importance of decentralising innovation opportunities and strengthening local ecosystems capable of supporting emerging businesses.

The Director-General further revealed that the Federal Government was working towards ensuring that every state had at least two functional innovation hubs where young entrepreneurs could access incubation programmes, mentorship and facilities for developing innovative products and services.

On women’s participation in the digital economy, Inuwa highlighted the Ignite Her initiative, which had trained 224 women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises.

He disclosed that 12 participants were sponsored to Japan for further exposure and business development opportunities, while one beneficiary subsequently secured a grant worth $500,000.

According to him, the outcomes of these programmes contributed to Japan’s decision to support the establishment of the Renewed Hope Startup Hub with a $10.4 million grant.

Inuwa also announced plans for a **$50 million seed funding facility for Nigerian startups**, being developed by JICA in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

He said the funding arrangement had received the necessary approvals and had been signed off, with disbursement expected to commence once the facility became operational.

The proposed fund is intended to address financing constraints confronting early-stage businesses and provide capital to entrepreneurs with promising technological solutions.

The NITDA Director-General explained that access to financing remained a major challenge for startups, particularly those developing innovative products that required substantial investment before commercialisation.

He added that Nigeria and Japan were exploring the establishment of a structured talent pipeline to connect Nigeria’s growing pool of technology professionals with opportunities in Japan.

According to him, the proposed arrangement would leverage Nigeria’s youthful workforce and Japan’s demand for skilled professionals while strengthening knowledge exchange and international collaboration.

Also speaking, Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hideo Suzuki, described the startup hub as part of a broader Japanese development cooperation strategy aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

Suzuki explained that Japan’s intervention was built around three complementary priorities: institutional capacity development, access to early-stage financing and investment in innovation infrastructure.

He said Japanese experts had been working with NITDA and other relevant Nigerian institutions to strengthen policies, regulatory frameworks and institutional arrangements supporting technology entrepreneurship.

The ambassador also disclosed plans for an onshore startup investment fund backed by approximately $21 million in Japanese grant assistance.

According to him, the proposed investment mechanism is designed to attract additional resources from Nigerian businesses and international development partners while ensuring that funds are invested within Nigeria’s domestic economy.

Suzuki said the Renewed Hope Startup Hub would provide entrepreneurs with modern digital fabrication equipment, collaborative workspaces and facilities for developing practical technological solutions.

He identified healthcare, education and agriculture among the sectors expected to benefit from innovations emerging from the facility.

The ambassador explained that Japan’s approach to startup development emphasised long-term sustainability, industrial capacity and solutions to social challenges rather than short-term financial returns.

He described the initiative as part of Japan’s wider commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification, digital transformation and industrial development.

Suzuki further disclosed that Nigeria had been selected as Japan’s first global partner under its new development cooperation framework, known as the **Co-Creation for Common Agenda initiative**.

He said the framework would provide opportunities for deeper cooperation between both countries in addressing development challenges through technology, innovation and institutional partnerships.

In his remarks, JICA’s representative in Nigeria, Ishigame Keiji, said the startup hub would create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to develop, test and commercialise innovative ideas.

Keiji explained that the facility’s manufacturing-oriented infrastructure would support collaboration among government institutions, universities, research organisations, private companies and emerging entrepreneurs.

He noted that access to prototyping equipment and technical expertise would enable startups to move beyond conceptual ideas towards developing functional products capable of addressing practical challenges.

According to him, the initiative is expected to contribute to local industrial development, encourage technology transfer and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to produce innovative solutions for domestic and international markets.

The JICA representative stressed that sustained institutional collaboration would be essential to achieving the project’s objectives.

He expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian innovators to develop scalable solutions capable of addressing social and economic challenges while creating opportunities for employment and business growth.

The foundation-laying ceremony attracted government officials, representatives of the Japanese government, development partners and stakeholders in Nigeria’s technology and innovation ecosystem.

Upon completion, NITDA is expected to oversee the operation of the Renewed Hope Startup Hub, with continued technical support from JICA.

The facility will provide infrastructure for business incubation, product development, research collaboration, mentorship and international partnerships, particularly for entrepreneurs seeking to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises.

The project represents another component of Nigeria-Japan cooperation in digital innovation, complementing existing initiatives in startup development, entrepreneurship training, access to finance and technology skills acquisition.

For NITDA, the hub is expected to strengthen efforts to build a more inclusive innovation ecosystem in which young Nigerians, regardless of their location or economic background, can access opportunities to develop technological solutions, establish sustainable businesses and participate in the global digital economy.

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the SATH Foundation, is advancing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s technology ecosystem through the Nigeria Tech Outlook, an initiative designed to guide investment, inform policymaking and accelerate technology adoption across key sectors of the economy.

The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, highlighted the initiative at the Tech Outlook in Lagos, emphasising the need to translate Nigeria’s wealth of technology talent, innovative ideas and entrepreneurial achievements into a globally competitive innovation ecosystem.

He noted that although Nigerian innovators and technology companies have achieved significant success, individual accomplishments alone cannot guarantee global competitiveness. A stronger ecosystem requires reliable digital infrastructure, supportive policies, strategic investments and collaboration among government, industry leaders, investors and innovators.

According to him, the Nigeria Tech Outlook will provide evidence-based insights into the country’s technology landscape, helping stakeholders understand the level of technology access, adoption and its contribution to productivity across the economy. The first edition of the report will examine five sectors: financial services, telecommunications, commerce and trade, government services, and healthcare.

Highlighting the importance of research in identifying market opportunities, Inuwa disclosed that more than 80 per cent of over 2,000 Nigerians surveyed expressed willingness to use telemedicine services, while fewer than 20 per cent had ever used them. He explained that such findings could help investors identify underserved markets, encourage innovators to develop relevant solutions and guide policymakers in addressing barriers to technology adoption.

The Tech Outlook will also examine emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, alongside digital trust and governance, cybersecurity, data privacy, cloud computing and digital infrastructure. These areas are expected to inform discussions on how Nigeria can strengthen its technological capabilities and expand the adoption of digital solutions across critical sectors.

Inuwa stressed that technology policies and regulations must be grounded in research and industry realities rather than assumptions. He called on industry leaders to contribute their expertise to reviewing the findings and identifying practical interventions that would support investment, innovation and economic growth.

The initiative is expected to provide government with insights for evidence-based policymaking, businesses with a clearer understanding of technology adoption gaps, investors with information to guide investment decisions, and innovators with opportunities to develop solutions to pressing national challenges.

The first edition of the Nigeria Tech Outlook is scheduled for launch at the Digital Nigeria International Conference. Through the collaboration between NITDA and the SATH Foundation, the initiative seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s technology intelligence, unlock new investment opportunities and position the country to build a globally competitive innovation ecosystem driven by research, collaboration and homegrown solutions.

On his part, the founder of SATH Foundation, Collins Onuegbe, said that technology has become central to Nigeria’s economic and social development, transforming how people work, trade, communicate, learn and access public services.

He added that digital innovation is reshaping business operations, government engagement, security, productivity and national competitiveness.

Onuegbe noted that conducting the assessment annually would create institutional memory, enabling stakeholders to track progress, evaluate existing priorities and build a stronger evidence base for decisions concerning the country’s digital future.

He emphasised that the gathering should move beyond speeches to encourage meaningful engagement and actionable outcomes that support Nigeria’s technology development, economic growth and national competitiveness.

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with 251 other reporting organisations, has recorded 2,769,512 digital literacy training achievements across Nigeria in the last three years, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to equip citizens with the skills needed to participate in the digital economy.

The figure, representing 5.54 per cent of the target of reaching 50 million beneficiaries by 2027, was disclosed through the National Digital Literacy Dashboard unveiled at the 2026 National Digital Literacy Workshop in Abuja.

The dashboard shows that 252 organisations are actively reporting their digital literacy interventions, with activities covering all 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory and all 774 local government areas.

The initiative, spearheaded by NITDA under its Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme, is designed to expand access to digital competencies through partnerships with government institutions, technology companies, educational institutions, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the workshop, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, said Nigeria’s greatest resource was its human capital, stressing that deliberate investment in digital capabilities was essential to improving productivity and creating economic opportunities.

He said digital literacy had become as fundamental as reading, writing and numeracy, particularly as technology and artificial intelligence continued to transform how people learn, work, communicate, trade and access public services.

“Our ambition is not to turn every Nigerian into an IT professional. Our ambition is to make every Nigerian digitally capable,” Inuwa said.

He explained that the objective was to enable Nigerians to use digital tools to improve their existing occupations, citing the potential for traders to manage business records and receive digital payments, farmers to access weather forecasts and market information, teachers to improve classroom learning, and public servants to deliver more efficient services.

According to the dashboard, young people below the age of 35 account for 2,092,697 of the reported beneficiaries, while informal-sector workers constitute 1,609,183.

Female participation stands at 32.9 per cent, while the platform records 65,767 beneficiaries from rural communities and 17,156 persons with disabilities.

The figures highlight both the scale of the ongoing interventions and the need to strengthen inclusion, particularly for women, rural residents and persons with disabilities.

The dashboard further identifies companies as the largest category of reporting organisations, accounting for 151 of the 252 participants, or 59.9 per cent. Government institutions account for 43 organisations, non-governmental organisations 34, while cooperatives, community organisations and other entities make up the remainder.

Among the leading contributors, Cisco recorded 1,073,604 training achievements, followed by NITDA with 960,424 and Meta Platforms Inc. with 333,816. Other contributors include Imo Digital City Limited, the Sokoto State Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy, the Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy, and state technology agencies in Jigawa, Kaduna and Zamfara, as well as the Centre for Information Technology and Development.

Inuwa said the launch of the National Digital Literacy Dashboard marked an important step towards coordinating interventions, identifying underserved communities and ensuring that investments in digital skills produced measurable outcomes.

He noted that the absence of coordinated reporting had sometimes resulted in organisations delivering similar interventions in the same communities while other areas remained underserved.

“At NITDA, we see our role as an ecosystem orchestrator,” he said, explaining that the agency’s responsibility extended beyond implementing its own programmes to establishing standards, partnerships and coordination mechanisms that would enable stakeholders to maximise their collective impact.

The Director-General, however, cautioned that the number of recorded training achievements should not automatically be interpreted as the number of unique Nigerians who had attained a defined level of digital proficiency.

He said the dashboard’s records must be complemented by credible assessments of the competencies acquired by participants, how they apply their skills and the benefits generated in their lives and communities.

According to him, the agency intends to measure progress beyond training attendance by examining whether beneficiaries can communicate more effectively, protect themselves against online fraud, access information confidently and improve their businesses, jobs and livelihoods.

The National Digital Literacy Framework, established in 2023, provides the foundation for the initiative, identifying six competence areas covering device and software operations, information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, digital safety and problem-solving.

NITDA launched DL4ALL in 2024 to translate the framework into practical interventions across formal education, workforce development and the informal sector. Its collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps has also enabled Digital Literacy Champions to take training into markets and communities, with programme reporting recording more than 20,000 trainers and over 803,000 trainees through the informal-sector initiative.

The National Digital Literacy Framework targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030, in line with the government’s broader ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Earlier, various speakers took turns calling on state governments, technology companies, educational institutions, development partners and civil society organisations to register their interventions and submit credible data to the dashboard, stressing that achieving the national targets required collective responsibility.

The ultimate objective was to ensure that digital literacy became an opportunity available to all Nigerians, enabling them to improve productivity, access economic opportunities and contribute to national development.

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The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has urged executive-level officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to support Nigeria’s transition from Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), describing the shift as essential to expanding digital public services and strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure.

Inuwa made the call at the opening of an IPv6 migration readiness workshop in Abuja, organised by the NITDA in collaboration with the Nigeria IPv6 Council and the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) for executive and technical staff of MDAs. Mr Oladejo Olawumi, Director of the Agency’s Digital Development Services Department, delivered the DG’s remarks.

One stream of the training is designed to equip directors and management-level officials with an understanding of the transition and their responsibilities in supporting it, and the other is focused on building the technical capacity of personnel responsible for implementing the migration.

He explained that the management stream was intended to help senior officials understand why the transition was necessary and how they could support their technical teams. He noted that effective communication and cooperation between management and technical personnel were essential to ensuring a smooth transition across government institutions.

“It is to help you understand the process of transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6 and why we need to do it. And importantly, to support the technical staff who are also being trained.  So, you need to support them when they start the migration process. If you don’t understand what you are trying to do, it might be difficult for your technical staff to move forward.

I want to congratulate you because you are the first set of this kind of training for the MDAs. Without having you on board, we cannot have a proper transition. That is why we are having this training to make sure that you have the skills and you are certified’’, he emphasised.

Inuwa said the transition became necessary owing to the growing demand for internet addresses as more devices and services connect to digital networks. As government institutions increasingly store and process data digitally, reliable networks and effective addressing systems become critical to accessing information and delivering services

IPv4, the older internet addressing system, provides approximately 4.3 billion addresses, while the increasing use of smartphones, smart televisions, security cameras, connected vehicles and other Internet of Things devices continues to drive demand. But IPv6 offers a much larger address space, providing a long-term foundation for expanding internet connectivity and digital services.

The NITDA DG linked the transition to the Federal Government’s wider digital transformation agenda, particularly efforts to make public services accessible online and strengthen Nigeria’s National Sovereign Cloud Initiative. He stressed that IPv6 would support scalability, enabling agencies to expand their digital platforms as more citizens begin to use them.

According to him, MDAs seeking to improve service delivery and reduce the need for citizens to visit government offices physically, the transition to IPv6 forms part of the infrastructure needed to sustain that expansion.

Beyond institutional benefits, Inuwa urged directors and management officials to encourage their technical staff to take the training seriously, highlighting the professional opportunities that come with acquiring specialised networking skills.

Inuwa disclosed that NITDA was funding certification for participating technical personnel, who were expected to take examinations at the end of the training. He described the certification as an investment in both the capacity of government institutions and the individualcareers of the personnel involved.

The workshop features technical training alongside the Directorial/Management session, with Mohamed Rudman, chairman of the IPv6 Council of Nigeria and chief executive officer of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), serving as lead facilitator.

Rudman welcomed the collaboration with NITDA, describing the initiative as an important step towards encouraging IPv6 adoption among government agencies. He advised participants to engage actively with the trainers, stressing that their involvement would be crucial to preparing MDAs for the transition.

The two-stream approach underscores the need to combine management support with technical expertise to advance Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have partnered to attract private-sector investment, expand market access and accelerate the growth of Nigerian technology startups and digital enterprises.

The partnership will connect indigenous technology innovators with corporate investors, commercial buyers and business opportunities through NACCIMA’s network of more than 120 city, state and bilateral chambers of commerce.

Under the arrangement, NACCIMA will serve as an investment pipeline and commercial off-take facilitator for NITDA-backed startups, technology ventures and enterprise financing initiatives.

The collaboration, announced in a joint statement signed by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hadiza Umar, and NACCIMA Digital Economy Coordinator and Chairman of its Digital Economy Trade Group, Dr Segun H. Olugbile, is designed to bridge the gap between technology development and market demand.

The initiative will focus on sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, mining, trade and services, leveraging the organised private sector to promote the adoption of locally developed digital solutions.

The partnership follows the execution of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the alignment of a joint technical working group co-chaired by Dr Aristotle Onumo, NITDA’s Director of Special Duties, and Olugbile.

The two organisations have identified three priority initiatives to strengthen investment opportunities, accelerate digital technology adoption among businesses and improve trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.

A major component is NACCIMA’s planned mobilisation of private-sector participation in the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE) 2026, scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 10 to 12.

As part of the initiative, NACCIMA will organise business-to-business (B2B) deal rooms, mobilise corporate investors and venture capital firms, participate in startup evaluation juries and connect technology startups with potential corporate buyers.

The deal rooms are expected to provide opportunities for innovators to showcase their products, engage prospective investors and establish commercial relationships with established businesses.

Speaking on the partnership, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said combining government policy leadership with private-sector commercial demand would stimulate growth across the country’s digital ecosystem.

“Combining government policy leadership with the active commercial demand of the organised private sector creates an unprecedented growth engine for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” Inuwa said.

He added that the collaboration would help indigenous startups gain access to corporate buyers, domestic capital and sustainable commercial opportunities through NACCIMA’s extensive business network.

Another major component is a national enterprise accelerator programme targeting 10,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The programme will provide participating businesses with practical artificial intelligence tools, digital skills, financial readiness support and improved access to markets.

According to the organisations, the initiative is intended to help small businesses improve operational efficiency, strengthen competitiveness and explore new revenue opportunities while preparing them to engage more effectively with investors and commercial partners.

The third initiative is a proposed digital trust mark platform that will onboard verified businesses and promote compliance with data protection and cybersecurity standards.

The platform is expected to support compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, strengthen cybersecurity readiness and build confidence in digital transactions.

It will also promote digital trust across regional trade corridors, including those operating under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by encouraging business verification and improved compliance practices.

The National President of NACCIMA, Engr. Dr Jani Ibrahim, described the partnership as an opportunity to place Nigerian commerce and industry at the forefront of technology adoption.

He said the association was committed to serving as a major commercial off-take and investment pipeline for startups supported by NITDA.

According to Ibrahim, connecting traditional industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, trade and mining with innovative digital solutions and technical talent would improve enterprise productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience.

To coordinate implementation, the two organisations have deployed a joint technical working group comprising senior officials from both institutions.

The group is finalising the enterprise pipeline, B2B deal-room structures and launch arrangements ahead of the planned formal unveiling at DNICE 2026.

NITDA and NACCIMA have invited enterprises, corporate investors, technology vendors and startups interested in the deal rooms or the 10,000-MSME AI Enterprise Accelerator to follow registration updates through NACCIMA’s Digital Economy Desk and NITDA’s official portals.

NITDA is responsible for promoting information technology development, standardisation and digital transformation in Nigeria, while NACCIMA represents chambers of commerce, business associations and corporate enterprises across the country.

The organizations said the partnership would strengthen public-private collaboration by linking digital innovation with investment, enterprise development and commercial opportunities, with the broader goal of helping Nigerian startups and businesses compete more effectively in domestic and international markets.

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Hundreds of women and youths in Jigawa State have received cash grants, business tools, agricultural inputs and educational support under a grassroots empowerment initiative facilitated by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

The latest phase of the programme, held in Hadejia, focused largely on financial assistance to beneficiaries, which organisers described as part of a recurring intervention aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing poverty at the community level.

Previous rounds of the initiative in other parts of Jigawa included the distribution of sewing machines, bakery equipment, farming tools, fertiliser, seedlings and cash support for small businesses and agricultural activities. Pupils and students have also benefited from scholarships and educational materials, combining economic empowerment with educational support.

Coordinator of the programme, Alhaji Naziru Inuwa, said the intervention was designed to reach women, youths, farmers, students and small scale entrepreneurs who require assistance to improve their livelihoods.

“This is not a one off gesture — it is a sustained, structured intervention that brings government closer to the people and converts policy into tangible relief,” he said. “We are committed to reaching the ordinary person in Jigawa State — the woman who needs a sewing machine to start a tailoring business, the young farmer who cannot afford fertiliser, the child whose school fees are a burden.”
Naziru said organisers aligned the programme with the objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that it also aims to strengthen civic and political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Members of the Tinubu Must Stay (TMS) movement, who volunteered during the Hadejia distribution, commended the initiative and urged beneficiaries to use the grants and materials responsibly. The National Convener of TMS, Engr. Ibrahim Uba, described the empowerment scheme as an example of grassroots intervention that complements broader government economic policies.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is alive in communities like Hadejia because dedicated leaders like the NITDA DG are translating it from a slogan into real deliverables,” Uba said.
The remarks reflected the movement’s support for the Tinubu administration and its interpretation of the government’s economic programmes.
The Hadejia intervention comes alongside other public and private empowerment programmes targeting women and youths in Jigawa. Federal project records include initiatives supporting women’s empowerment, youth development, agricultural production and small businesses in the state.
Inuwa has also been associated with technology and social development projects in his home state. In June, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu commissioned the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Future Academy in Hadejia, alongside a healthcare facility. The technology academy, facilitated through NITDA, is designed to provide digital training and support innovation.
At the federal level, the Tinubu administration has introduced several social intervention programmes in response to economic pressures following major reforms. The Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer programme was designed to reach 15 million vulnerable households, alongside initiatives targeting small businesses, skills acquisition and other vulnerable groups.
NITDA continues to implement its core digital development programmes, including partnerships aimed at expanding digital literacy, entrepreneurship and STEM education.
Organisers of the Jigawa empowerment initiative said the interventions would continue on a recurring basis, targeting unemployment, women’s economic participation, agricultural livelihoods and educational access.
Similar exercises have been conducted in other communities in Jigawa, with beneficiaries reportedly numbering in the hundreds during individual distribution cycles. However, independently published figures on the cumulative number of beneficiaries, total value of grants and materials distributed, and the funding structure of the recurring programme were not immediately available.

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Nigeria must move beyond traditional outsourcing and position itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence-enabled digital services, the Director-General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, has said.

Abdullahi stated this on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) during the “Hire from Nigeria” session organised by the Nigeria Economic and Trade Advancement Programme (NATEP).

The session brought together the NITDA chief and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, as well as the Minister of Education, Dr Moruf Alausa, for discussions on impact sourcing, global trade, skills development and inclusive job creation.

Abdullahi said Nigeria’s growing digital economy presented an opportunity to redefine its role in the global services market by transitioning from conventional business process outsourcing to artificial intelligence-augmented and IT-enabled services.

According to him, the country’s competitive advantage should not be limited to providing a workforce for global businesses, but should focus on equipping Nigerians with the capabilities to understand, develop and apply emerging technologies to create higher-value economic opportunities.

He noted that the rapid advancement of AI was reshaping the global economy, making it imperative for Nigeria to prepare its workforce not only to use the technology but also to participate in its development and deployment.

The NITDA DG also highlighted the importance of trust and security in attracting international businesses to Nigeria’s digital services ecosystem.

He pointed to the country’s evolving frameworks and initiatives covering data protection, digital identity, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure assurance, data classification, sovereign cloud and software quality assurance as key components for building confidence among global investors and service providers.

Abdullahi further cited Project BRIDGE, which targets the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre infrastructure, alongside the Federal Government’s Cloud First Policy and other initiatives designed to stimulate private-sector investment in computing infrastructure and AI factories.

He said stronger digital infrastructure would be critical to enabling Nigeria’s growing technology workforce to participate meaningfully in the global digital economy.

The NITDA chief also stressed the importance of representation in the development of artificial intelligence, warning that countries and communities excluded from datasets used to develop AI systems could face the risk of being underrepresented in technologies that increasingly influence economic and social life.

He noted that Nigeria was already taking steps to develop indigenous AI capabilities through initiatives such as the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

According to him, these efforts are intended to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic innovation ecosystem while connecting the country’s technology talent with emerging opportunities in the global digital economy.

Abdullahi’s intervention at the session reinforced the need for Nigeria to transition from being primarily a supplier of digital labour to becoming a producer of higher-value technology-enabled services.

He said the country’s opportunity lies in combining its human capital with artificial intelligence, trusted digital infrastructure and strong regulatory frameworks to compete more effectively in the evolving global digital services market.

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