In a bid to encourage innovation and empower the nation’s youth, the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has unveiled the NIJA Chat app, a comprehensive messaging, gaming and lifestyle platform.
During the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, Abdullahi described the app as “a crucial step in building public digital infrastructure and fostering economic growth” and emphasised the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting indigenous solutions with global impact. He called on all Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, to embrace technology and support innovative ideas emerging from the country.
Abdullahi revealed that NITDA had collaborated with the iCELL team for the past six months to refine and accelerate the development of the NIJA Chat app. He expressed pride in the collaboration, stating, “NITDA worked hand-in-hand with them to refine and accelerate the thoughts, as well as offered technical support to build this app”.
Describing the app as a “super frontier app,” Abdullahi highlighted its versatility as a lifestyle platform where users can find everything in one place. He emphasised the futuristic nature of the app, noting that it allows users to personalise their experiences and perform various tasks without switching between multiple applications.
The NITDA boss actively participated in testing the app’s functionalities, and making local and international audio and video calls. He commended the app, stating, “It was indeed a fantastic experience” and attributed the achievement to Nigeria’s young and talented population.
Acknowledging the importance of creating the right environment for digital natives, Abdullahi stated, “With the right environment, which the government is constantly working on to harness the amazing potential of the nation’s digital natives, the ‘Digital Nigeria’ quest would be attained sooner than later.”
Abdullahi highlighted the app’s potential impact on economic diversification, stating, “Our SMEs can use this application to promote their products and services, and communicate with customers and suppliers.”
While the official launch of the app is scheduled for January 1, 2024, Abdullahi shared observations that need refinement, including the addition of a payment wallet. He emphasised the importance of a payment wallet, stating, “When the payment wallet is brought onboard, anyone can receive and send money easily, and this will help promote the cashless transactions which is ultimately the future we are building”.
Encouraging startups to pursue innovative ventures, Abdullahi assured continued support from NITDA to enhance the quality of life for citizens and facilitate seamless connections.
Commending the iCELL team for their project, Abdullahi expressed appreciation for their impact and reiterated the government’s commitment to encouraging and supporting indigenous solutions.
The chief technical officer of iCELL, Abbey Abbey, provided insights into NIJA Chat, emphasising its role in redefining digital connections, lifestyle, and gaming experiences. He highlighted the app’s secure, vast, and intuitive interface, offering a unique and vibrant connection experience.
Abbey described NIJA Chat as more than just a messaging and gaming app, stating, “Today, we are not just unveiling an app; we are actually unleashing a new revolution. It is not just connecting people but creating a digital ecosystem that adapts to your business, evolves with your preferences and also grows with your aspirations”.
He credited his team for their brilliance and expressed gratitude to stakeholders, especially NITDA, for their partnership and support.
Other stakeholders present at the event applauded the innovation and encouraged Nigerians to download, install and use NIJA Chat to enhance local content and contribute to the nation’s digital economy.
