How NITDA aids NYSC members to excel after service

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is actively repositioning itself as a launchpad for young Nigerian tech entrepreneurs, not just a place of service. This new mandate was front and center at the grand finale of the NITDA Innovation Challenge 1.0 in Abuja, where the agency’s leadership urged Corp members and Interns to use their time in service to forge the nation’s next generation of technology startups.

The event’s keynote speaker, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa, delivered a powerful message rooted in his own experience, encouraging the young participants to transform their creative ideas into viable tech ventures.

Sharing a personal story, Inuwa recounted how his own journey in technology began over two decades ago during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year. “I had an opportunity to build a website for the place I served, and that opened doors for me,” he said. The impact was immediate: “Before I finished my service, a company offered me a contract worth ₦1.5 million to develop another website. Since then, I have remained committed to creating value through technology.”

He acknowledged that the job market is challenging for the over 550 Corp members currently hosted by NITDA. To tackle this, he revealed the agency is strategically providing platforms for them to acquire digital skills, refine ideas, and build startups before their service year ends. “We know it’s not easy to get jobs after NYSC,” he noted. “So we are creating opportunities for you to build your own startups while you are here… you can start testing your ideas right now.”

The DG commended the participants for their innovative solutions, which included smart performance tracking systems, digital branding tools, and certificate verification solutions, assuring them that these were the solutions truly needed to define Nigeria’s digital future.

Dr. Ayodeji Eniola, Director in the DG’s Office, further elaborated on the significance of the event, calling the Innovation Challenge a “movement” designed to redefine innovation within NITDA and the public sector at large. He explained that the initiative was inspired by the DG’s vision to institutionalize innovation through the NITDA Innovation Framework (NIF)—a blueprint for improving public sector efficiency.

“What we are witnessing today is not just a programme but a movement,” Dr. Eniola stated. “In the years to come, the world will look back at this moment and celebrate it because the innovations developed here will not only transform NITDA but the entire public service.”

Under this framework, staff, Corp members, and Interns were challenged to identify and propose solutions to real-life operational and national digital challenges. The maiden edition attracted 35 submissions, eventually leading to the formation of 24 teams that underwent extensive workshops and mentorship. Remarkably, 23 teams completed their projects, addressing 10 key internal issues within the agency.

The intense final day saw ten finalist teams present to the NITDA Innovation Council, with six ultimately emerging as winners and receiving cash awards.

The Challenge is a key part of NITDA’s broader strategy to foster creativity and problem-solving, aligning the agency with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and solidifying its role as a model for innovation-driven governance and a critical launchpad for young Nigerian talent.