The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has announced the launch of an $11.2 million innovation hub in Abuja, a landmark initiative in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
This collaboration, which also involves the chief consultant, Consortium of Oriental Consultants Global Co. Ltd., Intem Consulting Inc. and Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd., was formalised through the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the Startup Hub Project.
Funded by a grant from JICA, the project is expected to significantly advance Nigeria’s innovation landscape by providing essential infrastructure and tailored support for startups. It is envisioned as a vibrant centre for creativity, research and technological development, serving both new and existing entrepreneurs.
Earlier this year, the Federal Government signed a broader $30 million grant agreement with JICA to establish Startup Hubs in Abuja. This includes two major components: the first, a $9.9 million initiative to be managed by NITDA, focuses on building the dedicated Startup Hub; the second, worth $21 million and overseen by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), aims to foster an enabling environment for social startups to flourish nationwide.
Abdullahi noted that the project’s foundation was laid with the launch of the iHatch initiative, a programme developed to co-train and incubate startups with seed funding support from JICA.
“To deepen this partnership, JICA agreed to provide a grant to build an innovation hub. After training startups, they will have access to a makerspace to turn ideas into products and services. This grant is worth $11.2 million to build the hub,” he explained.
He commended the joint efforts driving stronger ties between Nigeria and Japan’s technology sectors. According to him, the ongoing exchange programmes have been vital in promoting knowledge sharing, skills transfer, and fresh collaborations among innovators in both countries.
Such programmes, he stressed, are essential for cultivating an environment where Nigerian startups can evolve into sustainable, innovation-driven businesses ready to compete globally.
“It’s about nurturing the entire ecosystem. We are not just training startups; we are also providing the tools, the environment, and the financing they need to succeed,” he said.
Abdullahi confirmed that consultants have arrived and preliminary design work is set to begin, signalling the official kick-off of the project’s implementation phase.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the hub is positioned as a catalyst for economic development by harnessing local talent and encouraging entrepreneurship. It will bridge the gap between training and commercialisation by providing a supportive space for startups to brainstorm, prototype and scale their solutions.
By equipping innovators with key resources such as mentorship, incubation services, and access to seed funding, the project seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s standing as a top destination for technology and innovation in Africa.
Through this partnership, stakeholders are optimistic that more startups will gain the tools and opportunities needed to drive economic diversification, job creation and sustainable growth in line with national development goals.
With groundwork now laid, all eyes are on Abuja as Nigeria takes another decisive step toward building a thriving, globally competitive startup ecosystem.
