In a strategic move to drive President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda focused on accelerating diversification through industrialisation and digitisation, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is forging a partnership with the Entrepreneurship Village (eVillage) to foster technological innovation and inclusivity nationwide.
The director-general of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, welcomed the chief executive officer of eVillage, Sunil Santanam and his team at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. Their visit aimed to secure NITDA’s support for digital infrastructure for the eVillage Innovation and Transformation Centre.
This collaboration resonates with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy’s strategic blueprint of accelerating national prosperity through technical efficiency, particularly under the “Infrastructure” pillar.
Abdullahi expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and highlighted its alignment with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024-2027), focusing on building a robust technology research ecosystem, promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services and nurturing an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
He envisioned the technology development zone as a catalyst for transformative change, emphasising its potential to ignite conversations about technology solutions to real-life problems.
The proposed technology development zone aims for nationwide impact across the six geopolitical zones, with formal arrangements to be solidified through a memorandum of understanding between NITDA and e-Village.
Santanam conveyed gratitude to NITDA for agreeing to collaborate, emphasising the transformative opportunities eVillage offers for Nigeria’s youth and entrepreneurs. He highlighted eVillage’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities, positioning Nigeria as a leader in entrepreneurship within Africa.
The e-Village’s director of initiatives and partnerships, Joy Francis shed light on the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Festival scheduled for November. She emphasised its potential to bring the global community together, fostering a lasting entrepreneurial platform for current and future generations.
The partnership between NITDA and e-Village signifies a significant stride towards realising Nigeria’s aspirations for a vibrant and inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem, poised to drive economic growth and innovation across the nation.
