Speaking at the NITDA-States IT Stakeholders’ Engagement and Ecosystem Development programme, aptly themed “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries: Towards Digitalization and Entrepreneurial Evolution”, he urged government players, industry leaders, and innovators to work more closely together.

According to him, aligning efforts across the ecosystem is key to unlocking vast opportunities within Nigeria’s digital economy and fast-tracking national development.

For Inuwa, the path forward is collective, one where shared vision and coordinated action turn potential into progress.

The NITDA boss, represented by Mr Ajayi Babajide, director Zonal Office Coordination, said Nigeria’s economy Africa’s largest by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is at a critical juncture that requires urgent diversification, noting that the digital economy presents a strategic pathway to sustainable growth, job creation, and inclusive development.

He explained that in today’s interconnected world, digitalisation has become a key driver of economic transformation, offering unprecedented access to knowledge and creating opportunities for developing nations to compete globally.

According to him, the technology sector remains one of the fastest growing and most impactful segments of the global economy, stressing the need for Nigeria to position itself to fully harness its potential.

Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s mandate to drive and coordinate digital innovation across the country, adding that the agency is focused on creating an enabling environment that empowers all sectors, including underserved communities, to contribute meaningfully to the economy.

He highlighted the implementation of the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), designed to deliver life-transforming opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

He also pointed to the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), which aims to equip citizens across various sectors with the digital skills required to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

The DG disclosed that NITDA has established over 100 IT centres nationwide and provided infrastructure to support digital learning and skills acquisition. However, he emphasised that sustaining and expanding these initiatives would require deeper collaboration with stakeholders.

He called for stronger partnerships among government at all levels, the private sector, academia, and civil society, noting that innovation thrives in an ecosystem supported by effective policies, access to funding, and enabling regulations.

Inuwa also stressed the importance of investing in innovation hubs and incubators to nurture startups from ideation to market readiness, enabling them to compete favourably on the global stage.

On entrepreneurship, he noted that NITDA has continued to support innovation through its special purpose vehicles, including the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), which provide incubation, acceleration, and training programmes for startups and young innovators.

He observed that Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem has attracted significant investments and produced globally recognised startups, including unicorns, but said more efforts are needed to sustain the momentum.

Inuwa further noted that digitalisation holds immense potential for economic diversification, job creation, and inclusive growth, but warned that these opportunities must be deliberately harnessed through robust policies, legal frameworks, and strong institutional support.

He said the engagement provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, co-create solutions, and align strategies for the effective rollout of digital initiatives across states in line with SRAP 2.0.

The NITDA boss reiterated the agency’s commitment to fostering partnerships and providing the necessary support to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation, expressing confidence that collective efforts would deliver lasting impact.

He urged participants to remain committed to building a future where innovation thrives, opportunities are accessible, and Nigeria’s digital economy reaches its full potential.

In his earlier keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology Kogi State, Pharm. Eric Monday, explained that the state’s digital strategy is focused on applying technology to critical sectors, particularly healthcare, where efforts are underway to improve data management and expand service coverage. He added that similar interventions are being extended to works and environmental management.

He noted that outcomes from previous stakeholder engagements had helped shape actionable plans, stressing the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable progress.

“Our goal is to learn from others while also sharing our experiences. The knowledge gained from engagements like this will help us strengthen our systems, create opportunities for our youth, and support skills development,” he said.

Highlighting ongoing projects, he disclosed that a skills acquisition centre, supported by development partners, is nearing completion and will soon be equipped to train young people in relevant digital skills.

Monday further revealed that the state is expanding its partnerships beyond Nigeria, including collaborations with Chinese organisations, to build a robust innovation ecosystem and open up new economic opportunities.

Describing Kogi as a “land of opportunity,” the official said the government is committed to leveraging its strategic position as the Confluence State to attract investment and promote growth.

Other dignitaries who delivered remarks at the event included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Nasarawa State, Mr. Damina John, as well as the Executive Director, Commercial and Industry Development at the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Mrs. Aisha Rufai.

The newly elected representatives, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (South West), Charles Uchenna Emembolu (South East), Abba Ibrahim Gamawa (North East), and Victoria Ojoagefu Manya (North Central), will bring the perspectives of founders, innovators, and digital entrepreneurs directly into policy discussions that shape the country’s startup sector.

The election, coordinated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), followed a transparent nomination and voting process involving members of the Startup Consultative Forum from all six geopolitical zones. 

The Forum was inaugurated earlier in 2025 to ensure that the startup ecosystem had a voice in government-led innovation policymaking.

The NCDIE, created under the Nigeria Startup Act, serves as the main governance body responsible for driving the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship agenda. It brings together representatives from the private sector, government, academia, and investors to oversee and coordinate the Act’s implementation. 

For the first time, elected startup founders are joining the NCDIE Council, revealing a goal to boost inclusive governance and stronger collaboration between policymakers and the innovation community.

This development is seen as an important milestone in bridging the gap between Nigeria’s startup sector and government institutions. With direct representation, founders can now contribute meaningfully to conversations around policy design, funding structures, and innovation support frameworks. 

It also reflects the government’s commitment to engage the private sector in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.

According to NITDA, the inclusion of startup representatives “underscores the commitment of ONDI and NITDA to strengthening collaboration among government, innovators, and industry stakeholders.” The agency reaffirmed its resolve to “build a thriving digital economy, nurture startups, and foster the type of collaboration that ensures innovation becomes a cornerstone of national development.”

The new Council is expected to effectively integrate startup perspectives into national strategies and ensure the collaboration influences long-term growth in the tech sector. 

The election has already been commended by experts as a positive indication that Nigeria’s innovation policy is beginning to reflect the voices of those driving real change from the ground up.

Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s director general, who was represented by Mr Oladejo Olawumi, the director of Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions Department, highlighted the importance of data sovereignty in ensuring Nigeria’s digital future.

By prioritising data security and privacy, the agency aims to foster a thriving digital ecosystem that benefits both individuals and businesses.

The Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge, organised by NITDA’s Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), showcased the talent and innovation of Nigerian tech entrepreneurs.

The event further reinforced the agency’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant digital community and empowering the next generation of tech leaders.

While stating that the event aligns with the agency’s pillars of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0, Inuwa mentioned that the event underscores NITDA’s vision to position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy, creating opportunities for innovators to thrive in an ever-changing technological landscape.

“The issue of having something home-grown is very important because when it comes to data, you would realize that Data is the currency of the digital economy. It is what is driving us now and everything is all about data,” he added.

Speaking of the relevance of the event which speaks to pillars; Robust Technological Research Ecosystem, Foster Digital Literacy and Cultivate Talents, Nurture an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, and Promote Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services of the SRAP document, he urged the participants to take advantage of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) in promoting their solutions.

“The Nigeria Startup Act enables you to get proper funding to develop what you want to do, and it allows you to meet with angel investors to see how you can be encouraged and bring what you are ideating to the limelight,” he noted.

While stating the agency’s commitment to ensuring that Indigenous digital innovation thrives, Inuwa disclosed that “Innovation Nests” will be created by the agency in 3 states with plans to expand to 6 more by the end of year and stated that the nests are designed to inspire creativity, featuring facilities for work, leisure, and networking with investors.

“These centres will be world-class, offering spaces to relax, collaborate, and attract global investment,” Inuwa explained.

“Whether you win today or not, this platform is a step towards achieving your dreams. Nigeria has the talent, and NITDA is here to ensure that talent is nurtured and celebrated,” he concluded.

Earlier in her opening remark, Ms Victoria Fabunmi, the national coordinator of the ONDI, stated that the event was designed to spotlight groundbreaking ideas and foster collaboration in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

While emphasising the agency’s commitment to advancing digital innovations through strategic initiatives, she averred that the innovation challenge aligns with the agency’s SRAP and fulfilling the Ministry’s blueprint pillars of Knowledge, Innovation, and Policy.

“Participants have an opportunity to showcase their ingenious ideas, as they have spent months looking through infrastructure across the country and helping us to identify areas for opportunity as well as areas for strengthening our innovation ecosystem,” she stated.

Inuwa, who was represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, director of Digital Economy Department, said this while delivering a keynote speech in Abuja at the Launching of the Survey on the Digitisation of Supply-Chain in Small-Scale Nigerian Farms Project organised by AGROVESTO (an Agritech startup and a beneficiary of the iHatch Incubation Programme Cohort 2) in conjunction with NITDA, Office for Nigeria Digital Innovation (ONDI), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) as partner.

The event’s purpose was to launch a project that will enable smallholder farmers in Nigeria to thrive, increase their income, and expand their market opportunities thereby creating wealth and prosperity for the country through agriculture.

Inuwa stated that agriculture employs a significant number of Nigerians and accounts for 25.18 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP in 2023 through crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing, with crop production taking the largest share; maintaining that digitising the supply chain for small-scale farms offers a transformative solution to the challenges of food security in the country.

He explained that small-scale farmers are the backbone of crop production in Nigeria.

Still, they face numerous challenges including limited access to technology, high production costs, limited financing, high post-harvest losses, poor market access, labour shortages, and high labour costs. These issues he noted hinder their productivity and economic potential.

Inuwa affirmed that supply chain optimisation will ensure that small-scale farmers can meet the increasing consumer demands, enhance food quality and safety, and promote and utilise sustainable practices.

“This can be achieved through the adoption of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which can handle time-demanding tasks using machine learning and predictive modelling; the Internet of Things (IoT), which can monitor crops and generate real-time data to inform automation and best practices; and blockchain, which can provide end-to-end traceability in supply chains with sharable data, building consumer trust and even making it easier to isolate and manage disease outbreaks in crops,” Inuwa said.

He said “NITDA has been actively supporting the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. One key initiative is the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) which has engaged 965 farmers in integrating technology into agriculture.”

“Our Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, 2024 – 2027 (SRAP 2.0) also highlights our focus on promoting technology in agriculture to boost food security, increase the sector’s GDP contribution, drive economic diversification, and create jobs, aligning with the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

• Citing a good use case of digitised agricultural sector, Inuwa disclosed that according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), agriculture contributes 33 per cent to Kenya’s GDP.

He divulged that JICA, through its Small Horticulture Empowerment & Promotion (SHEP) Approach, doubled the income of 2,500 small-scale farmers between 2007 and 2009 alone.

During his presentation, Bayo Adewoye, the co-founder/CEO AGROVESTO, said that 63.5 per cent of these farmers earn between 20,000 and 100,000 naira monthly during the sales season while 63 per cent take their products to the open market to sell.

He added that the project has been designed to address these challenges, and the expected outcomes include; improved farmer income by connecting farmers to wider markets through digital tools and increasing their bargaining power and sales, boosting their incomes.

Furthermore, efficient Supply Chains by digitising agricultural value chains can reduce post-harvest losses and improve the flow of goods, benefiting farmers and markets.

He said the initiative enhances digital literacy, empowers farmers with digital skills to enable them leverage technology to access information and expand their market reach.

He further explained that the next step is to rollout digitisation of access to the market which entails the design and integration of a tailored digital platform for market access. And the onboarding of cooperatives and SHEP graduates to the platform.

Then monitoring and evaluation activities which includes review meetings with JICA and ONDI, webinar and knowledge sharing.

The applications were received from across the 6 geopolitical zones.

Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), disclosed this at the ihatch startup incubation programme 2nd cohort demo day and 3rd cohort opening ceremony organised by the subsidiary of the agency, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), in partnership with Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) in Abuja.

Similarly, as part of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment towards creating meaningful opportunities for Nigerian youths, Inuwa has called on the government of Japan to leverage on the youthful population through strategic talent partnership that will nurture and build a workforce that can be exported.

Inuwa noted that the ihatch 5-month free intensive incubation programme executed by the ONDI and hosted within the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) is designed to help Nigerian tech entrepreneurs refine their business ideas through a series of coaching, lectures, and booth camps to develop scalable and adaptable business models that will focus on youth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology.

He added that the incubation programme will be held simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Gombe, and Kano and JICA has agreed to extend the Fourth Cohort across each of the 36 States and the FCT.

This is to enable wider reach and to stimulate the startup ecosystems across the States.

The DG stated that not fewer than 1,218 applications were received for the Second Cohort and the number was pruned down to 8 startups, comprising 16 persons, a Founder and Co-Founder for each startup, after undergoing levels of rigorous selection process conducted by a panel of judges, comprising experts in diverse areas of technology and innovative entrepreneurship.

He explained that the selection process assessed the startups’ ideas based on the criteria of profitability, scalability, social impact, idea technique, competitive advantage, experience, and a clearly defined future roadmap.

Inuwa further revealed that a total of 11,183 applications were received from across the 6 geopolitical zones for the iHatch Third Cohort.

This culminated in the selection of the top 8 startups, comprising 16 founders in total that will participate in the Third Cohort that was launched.

He added that 16 startups that participated in the first and second cohorts of the iHatch incubation programme have moved on to achieve remarkable success in the areas of job creation, funding, participation in events, and valuable partnerships which have created a combined total of 179 direct jobs in the span of agriculture, health, education, and e-commerce sectors.

The DG further asserted that apart from the total grant of US$45,000 (US$15,000 each) for Proof of Concept (POC) to the top 3 startups in the first cohort, some of the startups have raised some funding through other sources.

Xolani Health (a health tech startup from the first cohort) secured a grant worth US$155,000, BetaLife (a health tech startup from the first cohort) secured an angel investment of US$60,000, Gifty (an e-commerce startup from the second cohort) got a grant of USD$8,000 while two other startups from the first and second cohorts respectively, raised a combined total grant of US$6,000.

Inuwa affirmed the agency’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders and partners towards the successful implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) which will accelerate innovation and provide much-needed jobs for our teeming youths. Leaving nothing to chance in our resolve to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in our youth to catalyze the Nigerian digital economy to the next level.

The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, represented by National Coordinator, National Talent Export Programme, Dr Femi Adeluyi, applauded NITDA for the various initiatives and programs put in place for the advancement of the tech ecosystem in the country.

Anite noted that the NITDA DG at the Digital Nigeria International Conference 2023 edition harped on the need for Nigeria to become the talent destination of the world where countries will come to seek a workforce that will work with them towards achieving their goals and objectives.

She added that “technology is a pivotal tool in all aspects of life which cannot be overemphasized and the green transition scoreboard global total has reached about $7.13 trillion for export and about $6.6 trillion for importation, the important aspect is that 54% of these activities is digitally edible and prepares people to be effective and efficient in the different sector of the economy is laudable”.

The Minister also appreciated JICA for its relentless efforts toward the advancement of the tech ecosystem in the area of automobile, development, training, scholarships, interventions and a lot more which has impacted the citizens directly or indirectly.

The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, represented by Yuzurio Susumu Chief of Nigeria Office in his remarks stated that Nigeria is the most popular country in Africa and the heart hub of entrepreneurship activities aimed towards the advancement of the country.

He added, “With all the challenges faced by insecurity, and limited infrastructures in the country, Nigerian startups are demonstrating remarkable creativity and resilience in developing solutions that other critical social issues in areas such as education, transportation, healthcare and finance”.

He added that the present administration has identified the transformation potential of startups and digitization making it a key factor in diversifying the Nigerian economy from its dependence on oil.

The Ambassador pointed out that startups are seen as a catalyst for business transformation, bringing fresh ideas, innovative technologies and new employment opportunities. Japan has the longest history of technological innovation and entrepreneurship has a significant role in supporting the Nigerian system.

Among those who attended were representatives from both the private and public and the top three (3) startups emerged with cash prices to Fundus AI 1st postion $15,000.00, Reno 2nd postion with $12,000.00 and Ilim Tutors 3rd postion $10,000.00 respectively.

This statement was contained in a speech delivered by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), at the Innovation Support Network (ISN) 2023 Annual Gathering with the theme “Unlocking Potential: Collaborating for Growth and Impact’’ at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja.

Inuwa emphasised that the tech industry thrives on collaboration and over 60% of global innovation now involves some form of cross-organisational collaboration.

“A 2020 report by Microsoft indicates that over 95% of Fortune 500 companies rely on Microsoft Cloud services, illustrating how digital collaboration is driving business operations and innovation.” DG NITDA noted.

The Director General who was represented at the event by Yakubu Musa, the National Coordinator, Office of the Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), added that collaboration is the leading competitive edge across all spheres of socioeconomic activities, and this year’s annual gathering is to encourage and strengthen collaboration towards assisting innovators in discovering innovative and efficient solutions to the various problems confronting us in the economic, social, and political/governance realms.

He further revealed that technological advancements help societies to develop interconnected networks of cooperation which helps to accomplish more and improve the quality of life, thus allowing us to use these platforms to access ecosystems, talents, and information that are democratizing knowledge.

Furthermore, the DG said, ”these statistics are indicative of the fact that the world is becoming increasingly interconnected, interdependent, and collaborative. Therefore, collaboration is no longer an option, but a necessity for progress and growth.”

He stated that recognising collaboration as the dominant component for the digital transformation of the economy, the Director General noted that, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is unrelenting in its promotion of an environment suitable for all stakeholders to collaboratively grow and impact the digital innovation ecosystem.

He added that the role of the Agency is manifested through various enabling policies, guidelines, and strategies.

“Through strategic local and international relationships, NITDA has continued to work towards the realization of its overarching mandates. And, through numerous collaborative efforts, we have co-created enabling policies and regulatory instruments, as well as implemented programmes and initiatives for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s digital economy.”

He argued that in order to deepen our collaboration with the ecosystem, two Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), the Office for Nigerian Innovation (ONDI) and the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) were established.

And through these SPVs, there have been collaborations with relevant stakeholders in implementing programmes such as the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support (TIES) Scheme, the iHatch Startup Incubation Programme, amongst others.

Inuwa expressed his confidence in NITDA ’s collaborative efforts to foster creativity and innovation to help the entrepreneurs catalyze digital innovation and entrepreneurship in all its ramifications.

He urged the public and private sector stakeholders to join the organizers of the annual gathering to avail themselves of the opportunities to collaborate and support the establishment of a prosperous and sustainable digital innovation ecosystem.

Leena Pylvänäinena, the Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, stated that as one of the top 10 most innovative countries in the world and as a small country, collaboration is key for success in any area.

Pylvänäinena reiterated that “there is much more that can be done in terms on partnerships and collaboration between Finnish Startup and Innovation Community and Nigerian startup community”.

Khalil Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman NASENI, in his remark, asserted that ISN was a product of collaboration, stating that working together is key in achieving progress, creating solutions to the most pressing challenges facing us, producing technological innovations and for creating jobs and wealth.

This competition is a collaboration between ONDI (a Subsidiary of NITDA) and NSIA to provide support for innovative solutions.

Startups that have the capacity of developing innovative technology-based solutions within their respective industries have the opportunity to win part of US$255,000 if selected among the top entries.

10 finalists will emerge after the boot camp, and 3 winners and 7 runner-ups will go home with up to $255,000 in cash and equity.

Register now at www.nsia-ip.com and stand the chance to get support for your growth-driven ideas through education, mentorship, and financing.

The event aimed at proffering solutions to challenges faced in the ecosystem had various critical players from multiple industries at the Bon Hotel in Lagos.

Kahisfu Inuwa, NITDA’s Director-General, represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, the Agency’s Digital Economy Department Acting Director, expressed his pleasure at the turnout and appreciated all innovators present despite their busy schedules.

The DG, while giving his opening remark, stated that a symbiotic relationship between the Government and the players in the ecosystem was essential to achieve a collective desired result. “Whatever the government is out to achieve, the private sector should help the government achieve it, and whatever the private sector is set to achieve, the government should help and support,” he stated.

Inuwa disclosed that the engagement was geared at interacting with the stakeholders to identify challenges faced by the ecosystem and proffering solutions to them.

He emphasized the need to map out a partnership framework between the Agency and the ecosystem in addressing these identified challenges.

Speaking on the vast amount of human and natural resources amassed by the Nation, the NITDA DG urged stakeholders in the Software and Innovation ecosystem to harness and utilize these resources for optimal productivity.

He emphatically admonished all participants to freely critique constructively, challenge what needs to be challenged, and also give recommendations on how the challenges faced can be surmounted.

“We are here to listen to you, and I am positive that today will be a historical day where we co-create and re-identify our routes in bridging identified gaps and creating a bright future,” he concluded.

The Acting Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Yakubu Musa, while intimating the ecosystem stakeholders on the realignment of the former specially purpose vehicles (SPVs), introduced the strategic intents of the ONDI as well as initiatives.

“The ONDI has been mandated to work with the ecosystem to design and implement strategic programs and initiatives that will drive and foster the ecosystem’s growth through interventions and addressing some of the issues being faced in the ecosystem,” he averred.

Musa, in his remark, stated that ‘strategic human capital development, ‘funding and support to the ecosystem,’ ‘research and insights,’ ‘monitoring and compliance,’ ‘partnerships’ and ‘implementation of guidelines’ are the focus areas in which the Agency is willing to collaborate with the stakeholders in creating a formidable and enviable ecosystem.

Mr. ChinenyeMba-Uzoukwu, the President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), while giving a recap of contributions made by all heads of Industries, Groups, and Associations present, thanked the Agency for the insightful event but clamoured for a more effective communication and transparency.