The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) celebrated the successful conclusion of the NITDA-Founder Institute (FI) 2023 Startup Accelerator Programme, marking a significant step in talent cultivation within Nigeria. Thirteen exceptional founders graduated from the program, demonstrating remarkable dedication and innovation throughout the rigorous 14-week accelerator program.
The ceremony, attended by key industry stakeholders, government officials, and tech enthusiasts, highlighted the collaborative efforts between NITDA and Founder Institute in nurturing a vibrant tech innovation ecosystem in Nigeria.
Under a contract agreement with NITDA, the Founder Institute executed a virtual Accelerator Programme aimed at discovering and nurturing founders with innovative startup ideas across various emerging technologies, including Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Cybersecurity, e-Commerce, Software, Fintech, EdTech, Internet of Things (IoT), and Biotechnology.
Commencing on October 18, 2023, the program attracted a total of fifty founders, with 30 enrolled from NITDA and 20 from the Founder Institute. The accelerator featured 16 knowledge acquisition sessions covering entrepreneurship, product development, and mentorship.
In his address, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director General of NITDA, commended the commitment of both NITDA and the Founder Institute in enhancing the capacity of the new cohort of innovative portfolio startup companies. He expressed satisfaction that the program aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, particularly emphasizing technology’s role in accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation. Inuwa highlighted its harmony with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s strategic pillars.
Inuwa emphasized that the ceremony underscored the Government’s recognition of digital innovation and entrepreneurship as catalysts for transforming traditional economic sectors. He cited The Nigeria Startup Act as a crucial piece of legislation offering favorable advantages such as regulatory support, tax reliefs/incentives, capacity building, talent development, effective accountability, and unambiguous governance guidelines to the country’s tech ecosystem.
Commending the graduands, the DG said “the I highly commend the rigorous review phases today’s graduands passed through and it is with great pride that I congratulate the 13 founders who excelled at the programme. Your success in the programme is a clarion call for you to sustain the determination and diligence to gainfully explore the boundless innovative future that beckons at you.
“To others who participated in the programme, the knowledge gained will remains yours as you have garnered new insights to prepare you for the challenges ahead. I salute your courage in making it to the Accelerator programme. It is instructive that the federal government recognizes that digital innovation and entrepreneurship are major catalysts for the rapid transformation of traditional economic sectors by supporting the provision and adoption of indigenous and tailor-made solutions for the nationwide implementation of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding tech innovation ecosystem.
“Suffice it to say that the Nigeria Startup Act offers Nigeria’s tech startup ecosystem the most favourable advantages and promises a better future for growth, attraction, and protection of investment in tech startups and companies. The Nigerian tech ecosystem has so much to benefit from the Act which includes regulatory support, tax reliefs/incentives, capacity building and talent development, effective accountability, and unambiguous governance guidelines,” he stated.
He urged relevant stakeholders to harness the potential of this transformative legislation to expand the economy and enable opportunities for homegrown tech innovation enterprises,” he emphasized.
He further affirmed NITDA’s readiness to collaborate with local and international partners to tackle the challenges encountered by talented local startups, fostering an environment conducive to growth and innovation in the tech industry.
