This is an important step in boosting government–ecosystem collaboration as part of the broader rollout of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA). 

The Act, signed into law on 19 October 2022, seeks to provide a legal and institutional framework to ensure startup growth, providing incentives such as a startup seed fund, tax reliefs, and simplified regulatory procedures for eligible companies.

Beyond a ceremonial launch, the Startup Consultative Forum by NITDA aims to connect startup founders, angel investors, venture capitalists, and innovation support organisations into one space directly with policymakers to shape national decisions, from policy design to long-term investment strategies.

It also opens the door to electing members of the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship — the top advisory group for Nigeria’s startup sector. 

The goal includes handing over part of the policymaking reins to those who are actively building the country’s digital economy.

The government is relying on this group to recommend who will sit on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship — the top advisory body for startups in Nigeria. 

This council, created by the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), has the power to influence where funding goes, what policies stay, and which ones die on paper.

NITDA says this forum will prioritise representation. That means no empty panels and no one-size-fits-all solutions. It wants those building real products and running real businesses to be in charge of the future. 

“Join us in shaping the future of digital innovation in Nigeria. Together, we can build a thriving ecosystem that supports and celebrates the pioneering spirit of Nigerian startups.”

What makes this meeting different from previous tech gatherings is the emphasis on nomination and voting. Every participant is expected to contribute to selecting who will represent startups at the highest level of policymaking. 

NITDA is calling on “all Labelled Startups, Verified Entrepreneurial and Innovation Support Organisations, Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists, and other relevant stakeholders” to show up, contribute, and make decisions.

For more information, interested parties can reach NITDA via email at info@nitda.gov.ng, visit the website, or follow them on social media @nitdanigeria.

The press statement was signed by Mrs Hadiza Umar, fnipr, f.apra, mcipr, director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA.

This initiative, which commenced in October 2024 and runs until January 2025, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s startup sector through capacity-building efforts for startups and innovation hubs across the country.

According to NITDA, the iHatch Cohort 4 programme is set to support 185 startups and 37 innovation hubs nationwide with a mix of mentorship, training, and investment readiness. 

The initiative aligns with the government’s goal to diversify the economy and enable digital innovation under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Director of Corporate Communications at NITDA, Mrs Hadiza Umar, described the initiative as a cornerstone of the agency’s Digital Economy Policy. 

She noted that the programme is structured to provide startups with the tools to develop viable business models and scalable products while enhancing the capacity of innovation hubs to serve as effective incubators for entrepreneurial talent.

By the end of the initiative, it is anticipated that 90% of participating startups will formalise their operations with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). 

Added to this, 80% are expected to create a minimum viable product (MVP) ready for market testing, and 30% will secure funding through grants, partnerships, or investments. The combined efforts of startups and innovation hubs are projected to generate 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The programme seeks to ensure nationwide representation by including participants from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It also prioritises high-impact sectors such as fintech, agritech, healthtech, edtech, and civic tech, which are critical to Nigeria’s economic and social development.

National Coordinator for the Office of Nigerian Digital Innovation and iHatch Programme Manager, Ms Victoria Fabunmi, highlighted the inclusive nature of the initiative. 

She emphasised that the partnership with JICA and local innovation hubs aims to empower Nigerian entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into impactful enterprises while promoting a rich and inclusive digital economy.

The iHatch Cohort 4 initiative includes tailored training sessions for innovation hubs to strengthen their capacity to provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and funding access for startups. 

A “Demo Day” will serve as a platform for startups to pitch their ideas to investors, fostering opportunities for funding and strategic partnerships.

The programme also promotes international collaboration, providing exposure for startups and innovation hub managers to scale their innovations on a global stage. 

NITDA has encouraged interested startups and innovation hubs to apply through the official iHatch website to benefit from the programme’s offerings.

While NITDA leads policy formulation and regulatory efforts, JICA provides technical and financial support for developmental initiatives.

Building on the achievements of previous iHatch cohorts, this latest edition aims to further position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation. 

In enhancing innovation and supporting scalable enterprises, iHatch Cohort 4 promotes technology as a driver of economic growth and development.

These cyber actors masquerade as recruiters, luring job seekers with fake employment offers that lead to malware infections. 

NITDA Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Mrs Hadiza Umar, disclosed that these cyber attackers manipulate LinkedIn users into downloading harmful files or clicking on suspicious links, allowing CovertCatch to infiltrate their devices. 

Once embedded, the malware can steal sensitive data, log keystrokes, and record screen activity—all without detection, posing severe security risks.

The ramifications of a CovertCatch attack are extensive. Victims could suffer financial losses, reputational damage, and large-scale data breaches. 

NITDA warns that the malware goes beyond compromising individual devices to infiltrating organisational networks, potentially resulting in wider attacks like ransomware or even entire system takeovers. 

Key sectors reliant on data security, such as critical infrastructure services, are particularly vulnerable to these cyber incursions.

To guard against this emerging threat, NITDA has laid out essential security guidelines. Both organisations and individuals are urged to scrutinise unsolicited LinkedIn job offers, particularly those involving file downloads or external links. 

Added to these, implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and regularly monitoring account activity for unusual behaviour are strongly recommended.

The advisory also stresses the importance of up-to-date antivirus software, which should be used routinely to scan and identify anomalies promptly. Further, NITDA suggests that organisations periodically audit LinkedIn connections and enforce access controls based on roles to limit exposure to sensitive data.