The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has announced the nationwide expansion of the Hub Managers training program as part of the presidential priority area of reforming the economy for sustained inclusive growth and accelerating diversification through industrialisation and digitisation. This initiative aims to improve the lives of Nigerians, create jobs, and promote economic diversification by utilising technological innovation.
In an event held at the Hotel De Horizon, Wuse 2, Abuja, the DG announced this during the iHatch Cohort 4-Onsite Training for Hub Managers, which was sponsored by the agency in collaboration with the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
To adopt best practices from around the world, the on-site training program, which included 37 hub managers from the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, will enable hubs to build strong incubation systems to support startups locally, strengthen regional ecosystems through engagement and partnerships, improve their operational and mentorship capacity, and give access to international exchange programs.
Inuwa emphasised the current administration’s commitment to economic reform for inclusive and sustained growth, but she also pointed out that the key to accomplishing this goal is using digital technology at the local level to address issues in a variety of sectors, such as small-scale trade and agriculture.
“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 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 to 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.”
