The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has described Nigeria as a fertile ground, which can be explored by technology startups to thrive and provide solutions that will ultimately solve the country’s local challenges.
The Director-General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made this description through the Agency’s Director of Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, Dr. Abdullahi Gambo while addressing the startups who are undergoing a one-week Start-Up Clinic in Kebbi, the second online edition of the programme.
“Nigeria is a fertile ground on which Startups could explore to thrive and provide solutions that could solve mirage of problems bedeviling the nation,” he said.
The Startups Clinic, Kebbi (Online) with 18 participants is the second in the series of virtual Start-Up Clinic programme which has become the norm since the lockdown caused by COVID 19 in order to keep engaging the tech ecosystem.
The DG stated that the government is aware of the economic benefits and contributions of technology entrepreneurship to the nation’s economy; hence the pursuant of reforms that would bring about improved skills and the more competitive digital job market.
“We are committed to ensuring that you succeed because when startup thrives, jobs are created, local content is promoted and used, peers are inspired to try and a chain reaction is activated,” he explained.
The NITDA boss added that the Startups Clinic would gradually move many youths away from job chasers to job creators and dependence on government would reduce with the resultant effect of increased Gross Domestic Products (GDP)
He reiterated that the development of a thriving and sustainable technology and innovation ecosystem is a key economic driver for the nation, noting that the leadership of the nation is seeking to minimize dependence on oil by diversifying the economy and develop an entirely new industry and also support the existing ones.
While assuring that NITDA would support policies and public-private partnerships that would stimulate and sustain the demand for the use of digital platforms, the DG observed that such policies and partnerships would foster the growth of innovative technology which would create more jobs and contribute to the GDP of the country.
In their testimonies, the startups unanimously agreed that the various courses underwent in the last four days have really impacted on their business ideas and redefined their focus on how to achieve success.
Sodiq Abdulfati, an agriculturist innovator said he has discovered the solutions to his major challenge of how to identify target customers with add on the model on how to get the target customer. “So far, the past four days have been a turning point for my business. I have learned how to identify people and models that will work in my community.
In her remarks, the National Coordinator, Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Amina Magaji Sambo whose office is saddled with organizing the Clinics advised the startups to keep engaging with the office through its various social media platforms.
She said that there are many opportunities the startup could benefit from her office adding that the office would soon commence a special support scheme and also find a way to access the federal government technological grant which the startups can also access.