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The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has revealed that the agency’s collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has significantly boosted Nigeria’s startup ecosystem on the global map. Abdullahi made this statement during a meeting with JICA President, Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, at the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in Abuja, a hub established by NITDA to drive innovation.
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Highlighting the impact of the partnership, Abdullahi noted, “Through our collaboration with JICA, we have facilitated Nigerian startups’ participation in major tech exhibitions and conferences across Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, we’ve connected them with Japanese corporations like Mitsubishi, resulting in training for 112 startup founders from 56 companies and the creation of over 300 direct jobs in Nigeria.”
Spearheading Nigeria’s digital transformation
Since its inception in 2001, NITDA has spearheaded Nigeria’s digital transformation, significantly increasing computer access from less than 500,000 citizens to over 120 million. The ICT sector has also grown from less than 0.5% to over 16% of the country’s GDP.
Abdullahi emphasized the need to bridge the predicted global talent gap of 85 million workers by 2030, which could result in $8.5 trillion in lost economic value. He proposed a strategic talent pipeline between Nigeria and Japan, leveraging Nigeria’s youthful population to address Japan’s aging workforce challenges.
NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) is focused on eight pillars aimed at fostering digital literacy, building a skilled workforce, enhancing technology research, strengthening cybersecurity, and promoting innovation. Abdullahi also stressed the importance of internal reforms within NITDA to create a more agile and inclusive work environment.
JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka praised NITDA’s efforts, stating that the collaboration aligns with JICA’s mission of co-creation and sustainable development. He emphasized the need to harness the creative potential of young Nigerian engineers and entrepreneurs to drive innovation and societal well-being.
This partnership aims to position Nigeria as a key player in the global startup ecosystem while addressing both local and international challenges through innovative technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
