The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has announced the agency’s plan to establish innovation nests aimed at creating a supportive environment for investors and entrepreneurs to develop their ideas.
Speaking at the NITDA Digital Innovation Challenge – Innovation Day in Abuja, themed “Showcasing Digital Solutions for Nigeria’s Infrastructure Challenges,” Abdullahi, represented by Mr. Olawumi Oladejo stated that the hubs would be equipped with facilities like gaming areas and relaxation spaces to foster creativity and innovation.
The initiative aligns with NITDA’s eight pillars and strategic roadmap, which include building a technical research ecosystem, enhancing digital capacity, developing talent and nurturing an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Abdullahi emphasised the pivotal role of data in driving the digital economy and underscored the importance of homegrown solutions and infrastructure in Nigeria. He explained that data, often referred to as the new currency, is critical for the digital economy and the agency is prioritizing data sovereignty—ensuring Nigeria has control over how its data is collected, stored and utilised.
He further pointed out infrastructure gaps in the country, including the limited number of paved roads and inadequate schools, while pledging the agency’s support to competitors and startups that make it to the final stage of the innovation challenge. The DG promised access to funding and connections to investors.
The national coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Victoria Fabunmi, highlighted the focus of the initiative on supporting the innovation and technology ecosystem. She noted that the NITDA Digital Innovation Challenge is the agency’s first attempt at such an event.
“The challenge brought together teams from across the 36 states, including the FCT, to address infrastructure challenges in education, healthcare, and social infrastructure. The overall winner, InfraMappers, developed an AI-powered solution to guide decision-makers on distributing healthcare facilities nationwide,” she said.
Fabunmi revealed that the first prize winner received ₦5 million, while regional winners from six zones were awarded ₦1 million each. She added that the agency is committed to connecting startups with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to enhance collaboration and solutions delivery.
“In this first phase, we’ve seen startups not only utilise data but also create interactive maps that benefit key ministries, such as the Ministry of Health. Going forward, we plan to organise more innovation challenges and continue receiving support from our director-general, to generate more solutions for Nigeria’s prosperity,” she explained.
In his keynote address, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. K.K. Nwozor urged Nigerians to harness the power of data, technology and collaboration to drive transformative change across sectors, including security, education and infrastructure.
“Data is the lifeblood of the digital economy. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and the Internet of Things (IoT), we can amplify technological impacts. However, achieving these benefits requires collaboration among governments, tech companies, and local communities to ensure innovations are accessible, equitable and responsible,” he said.
Nwozor called on stakeholders, innovators and policymakers to support local solutions that address Nigeria’s unique infrastructure challenges, fostering a future that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient.
