The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has engaged hub managers at the iHatch Upskilling Programme to drive innovation across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative, organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with NITDA, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for economic reform, job creation, and digital inclusion.
Speaking at the event, Inuwa emphasized the importance of collaboration, networking, and ecosystem building. He urged hub managers to support startups by providing essential skills, access to funding, commercialization strategies, and the expansion of the iHatch programme. The initiative aims to train 185 startups, create 774 direct jobs, and generate over 7,400 indirect employment opportunities.
Inuwa also revealed plans to transform Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers into innovation hubs to drive sustainable growth. Hub managers are expected to play a pivotal role in championing the Nigeria Startup Act, connecting startups to global opportunities, and spearheading the country’s digital transformation.