The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has announced that the agency’s partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has significantly elevated Nigeria’s startup ecosystem on the global map. Inuwa made this statement during a meeting with JICA President Dr. Akihiko Tanaka at the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in Abuja.
Inuwa highlighted the transformative impact of the collaboration, revealing that Nigerian startups have been sponsored to participate in various tech exhibitions and conferences across Africa and the Middle East. This partnership has facilitated connections with major Japanese corporations, such as Mitsubishi, leading to the training of 112 startup founders from 56 companies and the creation of over 300 direct jobs in Nigeria.
“Established in 2001, NITDA’s mandate is to implement the national IT policy,” Inuwa stated. “At inception, less than 500,000 Nigerians had access to computers. Today, we have made significant strides in bridging the digital divide.” He pointed out the substantial growth in Nigeria’s ICT sector, which has risen from less than 0.5% to over 16% of the nation’s GDP, with 120 million citizens now having access to computers.
Citing World Bank research, Inuwa warned of a predicted global talent deficit of 85 million by 2030, which could result in $8.5 trillion in lost annual value. He suggested that a strategic talent pipeline between Nigeria and Japan could leverage Nigeria’s youthful population to address Japan’s aging workforce challenges, fostering a mutually beneficial partnership.
Inuwa outlined NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), emphasizing eight key pillars aimed at driving Nigeria’s digital transformation. These include fostering digital literacy, building a robust technology research ecosystem, and strengthening the legal framework for digital infrastructure access.
The NITDA chief also noted ongoing internal reforms to enhance the agency’s agility and create a psychologically safe environment for all stakeholders to contribute actively.
Dr. Tanaka commended NITDA’s commitment, emphasizing that the partnership was a strategic decision aligned with JICA’s mission to drive sustainable development through co-creation. He underscored the importance of harnessing information technology to address global challenges and promote growth.
“This collaboration will enhance startup creation among Nigeria’s young entrepreneurs, tapping into the creative potential of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions that benefit society,” he said.
The partnership between NITDA and JICA signals a promising future for Nigeria’s tech landscape, with potential far-reaching impacts on both national and international stages.
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