THE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed an agreement for the implementation of the Startup Hub Project with Chief Consultant, Consortium of Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., Intem Consulting Inc. and Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd, engaged by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the execution of the project.
It could be recalled that on 10th April, 2025, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, signed the MoU on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, while Mr. Yuzurio Susumu, Chief Representative of JICA Nigeria Office signed on behalf of the Japanese government to foster innovation, support emerging enterprises, and deliver a world-class facility equipped with advanced digital technologies and collaborative workspaces.
The project comprises two key components. The first is the development of a cutting-edge Start-Up Hub, $11.2 million, to be implemented by NITDA, while the second phase, worth $40 million, is the Project for the Development of a Supporting Environment for Social Start-ups in Nigeria, which will be executed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, praised the Agency’s ongoing partnership with JICA, particularly through the iHatch initiative, which has already generated over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs.
Inuwa also commended the joint efforts of strengthening ties between Nigerian and Japanese tech ecosystems by facilitating exchange programmes and providing an enabling environment for Nigerian startups to build thriving and globally competitive Innovation-Driven enterprises that contribute to economic diversification.
This is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
