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NITDA, JICA Commence Techprenuership Training Startups in North East Region
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) has commenced North-East Startups Training Programme (NEST), where participants will undergo two weeks free intensive training.
NEST which targeted youths in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology, is designed to help Nigerian entrepreneurs in the North-East Region refine their business ideas through series of coaching, lectures, and boot camps, to generate viable and scalable business models.
Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director-General, NITDA, while speaking during the opening ceremony, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment towards the sustenance of the tremendous growth of Nigeria’s tech and innovation ecosystem.
Represented by the Acting National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Yakubu Musa, the NITDA DG said the Agency will not relent in working with relevant stakeholders to create the enabling environment for the youths which constitute about 60% of the Nation’s population, to continuously innovate and achieve their dreams of turning their innovative ideas into thriving enterprises, thereby creating jobs and improving the quality of lives of Nigerians.
Inuwa recalled that the recent enactment of the Nigeria Startup Act is a significant milestone that will strengthen the legal and institutional framework for the development and operation of startups in Nigeria, foster the development of technology-related businesses in the country, and further consolidate the position of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem as the leading digital hub in Africa.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new normal and completely changed the way we live, work and do business with one another.
“Despite its ravaging effects on most sectors of the economy, it has helped in accelerating digital transformation by 3 to 4 years as reported by McKinsey. Therefore, to remain competitive in this new business and economic environment, new strategies and practices are required”, Inuwa averred.
To ensure that Nigeria remains competitive in the global Digital Economy, Inuwa noted that the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), developed the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria.
According to the NITDA Boss, the rigorous implementation of the NDEPS was highly instrumental to lifting Nigeria out of recession in 2021 and has seen the increasing contribution of the ICT sector to Nigeria’s GDP, with an unprecedented contribution of 18.44% in Q2 2022.
“In line with the NDEPS, we unveiled the NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2021-2024, to help us evolve and be more flexible to remain ahead of the curve in guiding the IT sector, fostering the digitalization of other sectors of the economy for a sustainable digital economy and creation of jobs for the youths. The SRAP is anchored on 7 strategic pillars, one of which is the Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship pillar”.
“The Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship pillar is aimed at facilitating the creation and growth of more Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs).
“Indeed, market-creating innovations are key to the prosperity of Nigeria. Therefore, we are partnering and collaborating with relevant ecosystem stakeholders on various initiatives towards achieving the objectives of the pillar; and one of the initiatives is the NEST programme that we are launching today”, the DG stressed.
Inuwa appreciated the government of Japan, through JICA for the impactful partnership both parties have enjoyed so far, not only on the NEST programme but other programmes such as the Idea Hatch (iHatch) Startup Incubation Programme and the NINJA Acceleration Programme, as well as for consistently supporting the Agency’s efforts to develop and expand the number of Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) in Nigeria.
He said, “JICA has again proven to be a dependable partner and totally aligned with NITDA’s goal of consolidating Nigeria’s position as the leading entrepreneurial hub in Africa and an emerging global digital talent hub.
“I wish to express our earnest appreciation for JICA’s partnership to strengthen the tech innovation ecosystem and ensure that more IDEs are created to transform and impact Nigeria’s economic fortunes”.
The DG urged the 20 participating startups to take full advantage of the knowledge and insights the programme will offer them and use the same to transform and reposition their businesses for greater impact on the economy of the North-East region and Nigeria as a whole, adding that NITDA under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is on a journey to shaping and winning the digital future, as the Agency is leaving no stone unturned in providing the required support for Nigerian innovation.
“You were all selected through a rigorous selection process that saw the assessment of 8,541 applications submitted for the NEST program. As such, let me use this platform to urge you to stay focused and open-minded to fully harness the opportunities provided by this training to enhance your business operations.
“Indeed, the outcome of this programme will provide you with the resources and skills required to move your businesses to higher levels and become active players within the Nigerian, global tech and innovation ecosystem”, Inuwa assured.
Other speakers including the Japan Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi expressed appreciation for the collaboration and hoped that the beneficiaries would live up to expectations after the two weeks training programme.
Atte Ayodeji, a Nigerian computer scientist,has developed an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of detecting, counting, grouping and generating healthy hair follicles during hair transplant procedures, an innovation that earned him the Best Innovative Technology award.
Atte Ayodeji
Ayodeji also graduated with a Distinction in his Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science from Birmingham City University on Friday, adding another milestone to an impressive academic year.
Beyond his award-winning hair transplant innovation, the Nigerian researcher developed a system and framework on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) as a professional responsibility in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
His dissertation received a silver award at the PGXPO2026 Winter, further highlighting the impact of his research in applying artificial intelligence to healthcare.
Sunday Dare, special adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Tinubu, celebrated Ayodeji’s achievements in a post on X, recalling how he first met him in 2019 during his National Youth Service.
“In 2019 when I became a Minister of the Republic, I met a young man of medium height, genteel with penetrating eyes: Atte Ayodeji. His words rarely come out and he could easily be passed by unnoticed. But I noticed him especially when my SA Kemi Areola brought him to me asking my approval for him to do his Youth Service in my office. I approved. From then on he was unstoppable. His brilliance shown and he developed skills beyond his frame.”
Highlighting Ayodeji’s recent accomplishments, Dare congratulated him saying, “Congratulations Atte. I am proud of you!”
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power, has said that the federal government plans to end power sector subsidies from 2027 and that there are no immediate plans for tariff increases.
Mr. Joseph Tegbe, minister of Power
The minister told journalists during the media interactive session at the weekend that the government has announced plans to phase out electricity subsidy payments from 2027 as part of efforts to address mounting liabilities in the power sector.
He explained that the planned removal forms part of the broader reforms aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the electricity sector, while tackling the financial challenges confronting the industry.
According to the minister, despite the planned subsidy withdrawal, there are no immediate plans to increase electricity tariffs, reassuring consumers that the government is not considering a tariff hike in the short term.
Patience Okala, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office has urged African countries to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on adding value to its natural resources if it is to fully harness the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She stated this on Thursday at the Streamsowers & Köhn 20th Anniversary Business Forum, where she stressed that value addition and beneficiation are essential to Africa’s industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, she said the AfCFTA goes beyond the elimination of tariffs, serving as a framework for industrialisation, value addition, and job creation across the continent.
“AfCFTA is not only about tariffs; it is also about value addition. Africa has to stop exporting raw materials. We need to add value and ensure that beneficiation is done on the continent,” she said.
Okala also said Africa’s economic transformation would depend on the effective implementation of the AfCFTA rather than on the signing of trade agreements alone.
“We have moved beyond negotiations. The success of AfCFTA will be measured by the extent to which businesses can access new markets, trade seamlessly across borders, and benefit from the opportunities created by the agreement,” she said.
She noted that Nigeria had intensified efforts to implement the agreement under the leadership of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, including the development of simplified AfCFTA guides in six languages to help businesses understand and take advantage of opportunities under the trade pact.
Okala called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, and the private sector to eliminate barriers to trade and investment and build a truly integrated African market.
“As we move from policy to implementation, our collective responsibility is to ensure that the opportunities created by AfCFTA become practical realities for businesses, particularly MSMEs, women-owned enterprises, and young entrepreneurs across the continent,” she said.
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