The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to positioning the country as a global leader in technological innovation and entrepreneurship through the iHATCH startup incubation program. This reaffirmation was made during the closing ceremony of the program’s third cohort, held in Abuja.
The iHATCH initiative, a joint collaboration between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is aimed at fostering a dynamic tech ecosystem in Nigeria. The program aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which emphasizes building strategic partnerships and nurturing an innovative, entrepreneurial environment.
In his address, NITDA Director-General Inuwa Abdulkadir underscored the program’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priorities, which include accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitization, and innovation. He highlighted the success of previous cohorts, noting that they have generated significant employment opportunities. The third cohort of the program has expanded to five locations: Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Gombe, building on the successes of the first two cohorts.
The program offers vital support to young entrepreneurs by pairing them with co-founders, guiding them through the incubation process, and providing essential business training. Inuwa encouraged JICA to consider expanding the program to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and expressed interest in leveraging the program to export Nigerian talent to Japan.
Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, commended the program for its role in promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development. He emphasized Japan’s commitment to fostering partnerships that facilitate knowledge exchange and acknowledged the progress made by the startups involved.
During the ceremony, three startups were awarded cash prizes: Northinho received $15,000, Dorpals Technologies was awarded $12,000, and Connected received $10,000. Northinho’s founder, Mr. Abubakar Umar, expressed gratitude for the support and encouraged his fellow entrepreneurs to remain persistent in their efforts.
Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, praised the participants and expressed appreciation for Japan’s support, emphasizing the program’s significance in highlighting Nigerian innovation and creativity.
The iHATCH program continues to be a vital force in Nigeria’s tech sector, driving innovation and empowering the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
