Johnson Inaugurates ICT Incubation Governing Board

Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology, has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National ICT Incubation Programme tagged IDEA (’Information Technology Developer Entrepreneurship Accelerator).

The programme has a mandate to support Nigerian ICT Entrepreneurs to create successful businesses that will have global impact.

The programme will offer support to promising ICT entrepreneurs through ICT incubation centres established in a selected number of cities with the first two located in Tinapa, Cross River state.

The National ICT Incubation programme is an initiative of the Ministry conceived to support Nigeria’s growing startup community.

The Minister at the inauguration disclosed that while the centres will be initially established and funded by government through the National Information Technology Development Fund (NITDEVF), they will subsequently be funded and managed independent of government through a special purpose vehicle under the guidance and supervision of the Governing Council.

Mrs. Johnson urged the Board to perform their duties optimally in the interest of young Nigerians.

The members according to Mrs. Johnson are required to provide overall strategic support and leadership to the National ICT Incubation Programme, commission and evaluate the strategic plans and key performance indicators at the national and individual incubation centre level, guide the establishment of the centres and provide management oversight functions ,approve policies and procedures including tenant admission and tenant exit processes, select and recruit management staff for the incubation centres; and review performance of management staff.

The Governing council is also expected to review and approve incubate selection criteria and process developed by the incubator’s local management, support and assist Incubator Business Managers in creating links to local and international investment and professional resources that support the success of the centres and ensure the overall financial viability of the incubation centers, including seeking external funding and financial assistance, evaluation of annual operating budget, approval of major capital expenditures and equity investments.

Members of the Governing council inaugurated include Mr. Adedotun Suleiman of Arian Capital, Pius Okigbo Jr. of Infosoft

Osayi Alile Oruene of Fate Foundation, John Obaro of Systems Spec, Teemu Kiijarvi of Nokia, Wiebe Boer of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Juliet Anammah of Accenture, Mohammed Balarabe of Fidelity Bank, Vincent Olatunji of NITDA and Aristotle Onumo also of NITDA
 
 

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