The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is significantly expanding its iHATCH initiative nationwide, aiming to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and economic diversification.
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, announced the nationwide rollout during the iHatch Cohort 4 Onsite Training for Hub Managers, organized in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI).
The training, held in Abuja, brought together 37 hub managers from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The program focuses on empowering local hubs to develop robust incubation systems, support startups, build regional ecosystems, enhance mentorship capacity, and facilitate access to international best practices.
Inuwa emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging digital technology at the grassroots level to solve local challenges across sectors like 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,” he stated.
The pilot phase of iHATCH in Abuja successfully trained 50 startups, creating 179 direct and over 1,500 indirect jobs. The nationwide expansion aims to generate 740 direct and 7,400 indirect jobs by year-end.
“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,” Inuwa explained.
Recognizing the importance of collaborative ecosystems, NITDA will foster networking and community building among startups and stakeholders. The initiative also aligns with the Nigeria Startup Act, providing legal backing and incentives for startups.
Inuwa urged hub managers to champion the Act in their respective states, encouraging startup registration and participation. He reiterated the goal of achieving nationwide digital literacy and enabling businesses to leverage technology. “Our ultimate goal is to see every Nigerian digitally literate, using technology to access government and private sector services,” he said.
The iHATCH model focuses on investing in local capacity to unleash national potential, with NITDA committed to supporting the initiative’s growth and impact.