Nigeria’s digital journey is accelerating; at the forefront of this unprecedented growth is the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and one of its key strengths lies in its collaborative approach. Through collaboration with tech hubs, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders, NITDA is laying the groundwork for a thriving digital economy.

NITDA’s partnerships span across various sectors, and this multifaceted approach ensures a comprehensive strategy for digital literacy and innovation. Among the critical areas of focus are training programmes in artificial intelligence (AI), coding, cybersecurity, and basic digital literacy. These initiatives are not just about imparting knowledge; they are about equipping Nigerians with the skills necessary to thrive in a digital economy.

These programmes directly address the need for a digitally literate workforce, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. To equip Nigerians with the skills for the digital age, NITDA aims to achieve a remarkable target of 70% digital literacy by the year 2027.

Through its collaborative training programmes, NITDA is birthing a new generation of highly talented Nigerians. Tech hubs across the country are buzzing with activity, where participants are immersed in learning experiences that cover the latest advancements in technology. Educational institutions are also critical in this endeavour. For this reason, NITDA is working with Federal Ministry of Education to integrate these programmes into their curricula to produce graduates that are ready to meet the demands of the digital age.

Beyond education and training, NITDA’s role includes the co-creation of policies that create a conducive environment for tech startups and established companies alike. By setting standards and regulations, NITDA ensures that innovation can flourish while maintaining the integrity and security of the digital infrastructure.

One notable example is NITDA’s involvement in developing guidelines for AI and data protection, which are crucial as the world increasingly relies on data-driven decision-making. These regulations not only protect users but also provide a clear framework for companies to innovate confidently.

This focus on collaboration extends beyond domestic partnerships. NITDA actively seeks partnerships with international stakeholders. A recent example is the collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, to host the Global Tech Africa Summit. The event brought together African and international players in the tech space, fostering knowledge exchange and creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

The Agency has recognised the transformative power of skill-based trainings, this prompted it to recently deepen its strategic partnership with Cisco to harness these technologies for Nigeria’s development. This collaboration is not just a step forward; it is a leap toward a future where technology drives sustainable growth and innovation across multiple sectors.

This partnership in practical sense, has several ambitious initiatives designed to showcase the capabilities of emerging technologies. Pilot projects are being rolled out to demonstrate the practical applications of these technologies in real-world settings.

In another circumstance, NITDA partnered TikTok to address some of the most pressing issues in the digital age. The partnership focuses on ensuring the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), promoting digital literacy, and creating a positive and secure online space for users.

The importance of this collaboration cannot be overemphasised, especially now that social media becomes increasingly integral to everyday life – the potential for both positive engagement and negative consequences grows. NITDA aims to leverage TikTok platform’s extensive reach and technological prowess to implement robust measures that safeguard users, particularly the younger demographic, who are the most active on social media.

NITDA recently collaborated with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, known as the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Digital Transformation Center (GIZ/DTC) to host a stakeholder awareness event focused on the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) in Lagos.

This initiative aims to address the digital divide and equip Nigerians with critical digital skills, underscoring its ongoing commitment to fostering digital inclusion across the nation.

Collaboration with GIZ focuses on bridging the digital divide and empowering Nigerians with essential digital skills. A recent example is their joint effort on developing robust standards for digital literacy content to ensure high-quality learning materials are aligned with Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).

These are just a few examples of NITDA’s ongoing efforts to foster collaboration within the tech ecosystem. The Agency actively seeks partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including High Tech, Telecommunication and Tech-enabled companies, Tech startups, Development Agencies, etc.

NITDA’s commitment to fostering innovation is evident in its establishment of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) like the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR). These SPVs act as catalysts for collaboration within the tech ecosystem, allowing for the implementation of initiatives like the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support (TIES) Scheme and the iHatch Startup Incubation Programme.

In one of his public outings, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, stated that “Collaborating with stakeholders is fundamental to our mission. By working together, we can create an ecosystem that supports innovation and sustainable growth, ensuring that Nigeria is not just a consumer of technology but a key player in the global tech arena.”

“The goal is to create a sustainable digital ecosystem where everyone has the opportunity to participate and benefit. Our partnerships are crucial in bridging the skills gap and ensuring that Nigeria’s digital economy is inclusive and resilient”, Inuwa explained.

As Nigeria stands on the cusp of a digital revolution, NITDA’s partnerships serve as a beacon of what is possible when government, industry, and academia come together with a shared vision. The journey to 70% digital literacy by 2027 is ambitious, but with the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders, it is a goal well within reach. Through these efforts, Nigeria is not just preparing for the future; it is shaping it.

Mubarak writes from Abuja

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TECHDIGEST – In furtherance to the delivery of the President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, administrative ambitious policy of uplifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is harnessing the innovative talent of the nation’s youths and providing them with the necessary support to build the required digital skills and viable tech businesses to significantly contribute to job creation and economic prosperity for Nigeria through the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support (TIES) Scheme.

The Director General and CEO of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa CCIE officially flagged off the TIES Scheme during a hybrid session that took place live at the Venture Park Hub in Abuja while other locations like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Katsina, Kano, and Enugu joined virtually.

While applauding the startups stride towards the pursuit of providing solution to identified gaps in the society, he gave a brief narrative of the impact of the startup community on the Nation’s economy within the last two years.

He said, “Nigeria’s flourishing startup ecosystem has continued to attract global attention as evidenced by a total investment of $2.9 billion between 2021 and 2022 as reported by Africa: The Big Deal; the highest raised by any startup ecosystem in Africa. Additionally, Nigeria is home to 5 unicorn startups out of the 7 in Africa. These and other significant milestones point to the enormous potential of the ecosystem in contributing to creating wealth and economic growth for Nigeria’’.

Kashifu additionally noted that, President Buhari’s administration had recently enacted the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), which is aimed at, among others: to provide a legal and institutional framework for the development of startups; to provide an enabling environment for establishment and operation of startups; to provide opportunities for the development and growth of tech-related talents; and to position Nigeria’s startup ecosystem as the leading digital technology center in Africa.

He affirmed that the NSA was the outcome of the collaborative efforts of the ecosystem and the Presidency, as spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), and a clear pointer to the government’s commitment to developing a more successful and thriving tech ecosystem for the development of Nigeria’s digital economy into a knowledge-based and IT-driven economy.

READ ALSO: 2023 Elections: NITDA Boss Calls For Indigenous Fact Checkers In Combating Fake News

He further disclosed how NITDA had conceptualised and designed the TIES Scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a capacity building programme targeted at addressing the digital skills gaps through trainings for hub managers, provision of incubation work to ensure massive creation of entrepreneurs and jobs within the ecosystem for young Nigerians.

“As an Agency, we noticed that most of the young talented people who have ideas lack mentorship.” He added that “innovative solutions are needed to tackle the problems in the country which NITDA is helping by creating the avenue that would provide a balance between the innovators and the markets,” he added.

He was optimistic that the TIES Scheme would accelerate the prosperity of the country, while enabling NITDA on delivering the target of achieving 95% digital literacy by the year 2030.

The Chairman of the TIES committee Dr. Abdullahi Usman Gambo, Director of Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions (ITIS) NITDA expressed his optimism about the success of the program through the support of the industry partners. He said that NITDA is expecting the partners to help achieve the target number of trainers within the stipulated time frame through the train-the-trainer method.

The General Manager of Venture Park Hub Mr. Jayeola Okuazun in his remarks expressed his gratitude to the Federal government for providing a bridging the gap for your young talented entrepreneurs.

“Our mission is very clear, we are here to build the future of Africa and to be able to do that in my language we speak a lot of proverbs, there is one that says one hand cannot lift a load on one’s head”, indicating that collaborative measures between the Federal Government and the various Hubs would enhance the development of the nation.

Other Tech partners include Quantum Business, Blue Saphire Hub, Venture Park, Young Innovators, and Cherish Enterprise Institute.

Mr. Okuazun later took the NITDA team on a tour of the facility, showcasing the various opportunities available to young digital natives.

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TECHDIGEST – In furtherance to transforming the country into a knowledge-based and IT-driven economy in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is introducing the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Scheme (TIES) to provide opportunity and build capacity of both Hub Managers and Technology startups to ensure massive creation of entrepreneurs and jobs within the ecosystem.

The Director-General NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, explained the purpose of during a webinar session with stakeholders and members of the TIES Scheme, noting that the idea was conceptualised during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist industry partners who have established IT hubs to upskill their hubs and help with their businesses.

He said the status of many economies is struggling to survive because of the pandemic, thereby making it apparent that embracing the new normal of encouraging the development of emerging technologies to strengthen the economy is the way forward.

According to Inuwa, the initiative will be used as a platform to invest in creative people who can create jobs for themselves and others, would enable partners to turn their ideas into reality in a form of products and services.

“NITDA, as a Federal Government Agency, was established to, among others, develop and regulate Information Technology (IT) in Nigeria and is assiduously working to develop the innovation process through the creation of enabling platforms and opportunities propelling creative ideas from inception to actualization, resulting into impact in the society.”

“As an Agency, we noticed that most of the young talented people who have ideas lack mentorship.” He added that, “innovative solutions are needed to tackle the problems in the country which NITDA is helping by creating the avenue that would provide a balance between the innovators and the markets,” he added.

READ ALSO: Finally, NITDA Issues Code of Practice for Online Platforms Operating in Nigeria

He further said that to accelerate the prosperity of the country, NITDA is working on delivering the target of achieving 95% digital literacy by the year 2030 which is possible if the Agency and its partners work together.

The NITDA boss explained that the target could be achieved by engaging two perspectives, these are; getting people to understand and use technology and digital services, and building capacity in other to establish digital services locally.

“There is a target to train 1 million developers in the next 18 months, and we will be looking forward to getting better ideas from you on how to deliver this initiative because as a government agency we believe the only way to achieve success is to work together and establish stronger partnerships between ourselves,” he concluded.

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TECHDIGEST – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES), to provide access to finance bankable ideas by graduates and undergraduates, in the quest to tackle youth unemployment in the country.

The Scheme was developed in partnership with Nigerian polytechnics and universities, is designed to harness the potentials of graduate entrepreneurs by creating a paradigm shift from the pursuit of white-collar jobs to a culture of entrepreneurship for economic development and job creation.

Speaking at the event, in Abuja, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, vows to tackle youth unemployment and underemployment in the country.

He said, “With about 600,000 students graduating yearly from Nigerian tertiary institutions, and without the commensurate employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors, it has become imperative that government, at all levels, puts in place policy measures to support entrepreneurial development among our youth.

“Such measures would create an enabling business ecosystem that supports innovation and enables the youth to unleash their entrepreneurial potential, by redirecting their focus from seeking white-collar jobs to a culture of entrepreneurship development.

“The ecosystem should provide support in re-orientating, training, and providing a financing model apt to the peculiarity of the sector within which the businesses operate.”

Mr. Emefiele described entrepreneurship as an integral part of any economy, and that “entrepreneurs play a key role in driving growth and innovation, which in turn results in job creation.”

The TIES, he explained would create an ecosystem that allowed the flow of affordable credit to the real sectors of the economy.

He added, “With an estimated population of 213 million, out of which two-third are youth, aged under 35 years, the nation is faced with a historic opportunity, particularly as the demography continues to create clear evidence of their relevance to economic development, as accentuated by the global recognition of Nigerian tech start-ups and continued growth of businesses in the technology space owned by the youth.

“In realization of this, the CBN has introduced several innovative financing programs designed to extend low-cost financing to youth entrepreneurs across the country. These interventions have continued to receive resounding commendations, as they have proven effective in extending credit to youth entrepreneurs across the country.

“For instance, under its Targeted Credit Facility (TCF), the Bank has disbursed a total of ₦363.49 billion to 766,719 beneficiaries, comprising 638,070 households and 128, 649 small businesses. Under its Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS), the Bank has released ₦134.63 billion to 37,571 entrepreneurs. Disbursements under the NYIF stood at ₦3.00 billion to 7,057 small business beneficiaries.”

The scheme consisted of three segments: The Term Loan Component; The Equity Investment Component; The Developmental Grant Component.

The loan component provides direct credit opportunities to graduates of Nigerian polytechnics and universities of not more than seven years post-graduation.

An applicant, if successful, is eligible for a maximum of ₦5 million for an individual, sole-proprietorship or small company; and a maximum of ₦25 million for a partnership or company. The tenor for the facility is maximum of five (5) years, with a one-year moratorium, and at an interest of 5 per cent per annum, which shall revert to 9 per cent from March 2022.

Mr. Abubakar Suleiman of Sterling Bank heads a Body of Experts which was inaugurated to access the proposals by applicants.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, in a message noted that entrepreneurship was the way to go for Nigeria youths, given that there were not enough jobs in both public and private institutions for all graduates.

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TECH DIGEST – The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Monday said it was developing a Tertiary Institutions’ Entrepreneurship Scheme, TIES, to re-orientate, train and finance entrepreneurship ideas by Nigerian graduates.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, stated this in a goodwill message to the 35th Conference of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, holding at the Kano State University of Science and Technology, KUST, Wudil.

Represented by Adebowale Olabimtan-Idowu, CBN Deputy Director, Development Finance, Emefiele said there was need to re-orientate youths from waiting for white collar jobs to entrepreneurship.

He said that the scheme was designed to support the development of entrepreneurial mindsets and culture, through the introduction of a platform that provides seamless access to affordable finance by graduates.

It would also assist in creating employment for many youths graduating from various institutions of higher learning in the country annually, he added.

“An estimated 600,000 graduates from our tertiary institutions enter the labour market annually, after participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, seeking the already thinned out white collar jobs.

“The situation has contributed significantly to the rising youth unemployment across the country,” he said.

Mr Emefiele said that the proposed scheme would also provide a platform for building digital skills relevant to Nigeria’s broader developmental goals.

He explained that efforts were ongoing aimed at addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on production sectors and dwindling oil revenues in the country.

“Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) portend great opportunities for addressing these gaps and accelerating economic growth by leveraging our vibrant youth population,” he said.

NAN

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