NITDA expands iHatch initiative for economic diversification, job creation

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, explains the pilot phase of the iHatch, in Abuja, successfully trained 50 startups, which led to the creation of 179 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs in the Nigerian digital ecosystem

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has announced the nationwide expansion of the Hub Managers training programme.

ConsumerConnect reports Inuwa disclosed this development at the iHatch Cohort 4 -Onsite Training for Hub Managers, which NITDA organised in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), in Abuja, FCT.

The agency noted the training programme is designed to harness technological innovation to improve the lives of Nigerians, create jobs, and foster economic diversification.

The Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency also affirmed the Hub Managers training is in consonance with the presidential priority area of Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth and Accelerating Diversification through Industrialisation and Digitisation.

The agency explained the on-site training programme, which has 37 Hub Managers from the 36 states of the Federation, including the FCT, would empower hubs to build robust incubation systems to support startups locally, as well as develop strong regional ecosystems through partnerships and engagement.

The initiative is equally aimed at enhancing their operational and mentorship capacity and provide access to international exchange programmes towards the adoption of best global practices.

Speaking on the essence of the programme, Inuwa emphasised the current administration’s commitment to reforming the Nigerian economy for sustained and inclusive growth.

The Director-General of NITDA also highlighted that the key to achieving this goal lies in leveraging digital technology at the grassroots level to solve local problems across various sectors, including agriculture and small-scale trade.

“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, earlier conducted in Abuja, successfully trained 50 startups, which led to the creation of 179 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs.

According to him, the expansion of the initiative to accommodate all the 37 states will create 740 direct jobs and 7,400 indirect jobs before the end of the year.

Inuwa stated: “This initiative will domesticate innovation in states and enable start-ups solve real-life problems in areas of agriculture, healthcare, transportation and other sectors, that are peculiar to their different states.”

Stressing that innovation thrives in clusters where critical stakeholders can exchange ideas and incubate solutions, the NITDA Director-General underscored the importance of collaboration, networking and ecosystem development in driving innovation.

He further explained: “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.”

Besides job creation and ecosystem building, the NITDA Chief Executive said the initiative as well aligns with the Nigeria Startup Act, which aims to provide legal backing and incentives for startups.

Inuwa urged the participants in the iHatch programme to act as champions in their respective states, spreading awareness about the Act, while encouraging other startups to register and benefit from its provisions.

Inuwa noted: “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.”

The iHatch model ensures investment in local capacity where national potential can be unleashed, he said.

Inuwa averred: “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.”