In a bold move to drive technological innovation, job creation, and economic diversification, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced the nationwide expansion of its flagship iHatch initiative.
The initiative, originally piloted in Abuja, will now reach all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aiming to empower local startups, enhance regional innovation ecosystems, and create sustainable job opportunities across Nigeria.
Nationwide Impact: Building Innovation Beyond Lagos and Abuja
The announcement was made by NITDA’s Director-General, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, during the iHatch Cohort 4 Onsite Training for Hub Managers. The program, held in Abuja, was organized in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI).
A total of 37 hub managers—one from each state and the FCT—participated in intensive training, equipping them with the skills to support local startups, develop incubation systems, and facilitate mentorship programs. The initiative also integrates global exchange opportunities, allowing participants to adopt international best practices in business incubation.
Speaking on the expansion, Abdullahi emphasized the importance of grassroots-level digital innovation:
“We don’t want technological innovation to be concentrated only in Lagos and Abuja. We want to take it to the grassroots and use it to solve real-life problems. That is why we designed the iHatch initiative.”
Scaling Innovation: Job Creation and Economic Impact
The pilot phase of iHatch, which took place in Abuja, successfully trained 50 startups, leading to the creation of 179 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs. With its nationwide rollout, NITDA projects that the program will create:
740 direct jobs
7,400 indirect jobs by the end of the year
The initiative aims to nurture startups in key sectors such as:
- Agriculture
- Healthcare
- Transportation
- Small-scale trade
By focusing on problem-solving at the community level, iHatch will empower local entrepreneurs to build scalable solutions tailored to their immediate environments.
Creating a Thriving Innovation Ecosystem
Abdullahi stressed that innovation thrives in clusters, where stakeholders can exchange ideas, collaborate, and co-create solutions. He highlighted the need to build a sustainable ecosystem that supports startups beyond the program’s duration.
“We don’t want startups to just pass through the programme; we want them to remain within the iHatch ecosystem because we aim to expand this initiative to all 774 local governments in Nigeria.”
He also pointed out that iHatch aligns with the Nigeria Startup Act, which provides:
✔ Legal backing for startups
✔ Incentives to encourage innovation
✔ Support mechanisms for sustainable business growth
Empowering Nigerians Through Digital Literacy
Abdullahi urged iHatch participants to take ownership of the initiative in their states, spreading awareness about the Nigeria Startup Act and encouraging more entrepreneurs to leverage its benefits.
“In line with the president’s mandate, our ultimate goal is to see every Nigerian digitally literate and using technology to access both government and private sector services. We also want our market women to leverage technology to expand their businesses.”
Shaping Nigeria’s Future, One Innovation at a Time
With a strong commitment to investing in local talent and unlocking Nigeria’s full potential, NITDA is paving the way for a digitally inclusive, innovation-driven economy.
“We at NITDA are proud to walk this journey with you. Let’s keep building, let’s keep innovating, and let’s continue to shape the future of Nigeria, one innovation at a time,” Abdullahi concluded.
