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NITDA DG Reiterates Agency’s Commitment to Grow Region’s Tech Ecosystem
In view of the relatively low visibility of the Innovation ecosystem in Northern Nigeria, despite being a region with hub of innovators, creatives, startups and several success stories, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, has reiterated the Agency’s commitment to support, and catalyse the emergence/growth of the region’s innovation ecosystem.
Inuwa said this while delivering a Keynote Address during a ‘Stakeholders’ Engagement on the State of the Northern Innovation Ecosystem’, which held in Abuja.
Describing the event as “‘setting the sense of urgency for something to be done in favour of the Northern Innovation Ecosystem’, the Director-General noted that the timely call amplifies the opportunities, challenges as well as the need to build strategic partnerships toward achieving the overall goals.
“This platform has spurred the necessary conversations that we need to have in order to tackle some of the bottlenecks that have over the years stifled the growth of the ecosystem in the region”.
“As an Agency under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, we are here to add our collective voice and render relevant support targeted at fostering economic growth and development in the North and Nigeria as a whole”, Inuwa affirmed.
The DG Aligned the thrusts of the discussions to the Federal Government’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ and one of the Priority Areas of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Adminstration, which is ‘Accelerating Diversification through Industrialisation, Digitisation, Creative Arts, Manufacturing and Innovation’.
According to the DG, the involvement of NITDA in the quest, further aligns with some pillars of the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, which deal with ‘Nurturing an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem’ and Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration amongst others.
Inuwa expressed the hope that the Northern Innovation Ecosystem will be used to create jobs, solve agricultural problems, healthcare, transportation, education and many more in the region.
“In the North and Nigeria in general, our biggest opportunity is the large market and expansion we have, because we have a young population where more than 60% is under 25, which means they are digitally natives”.
“Given the fact that our greatest resource as a country is human capital, we therefore, want to harness this population to make Nigeria a talent net exporter”, the DG avowed.
The NITDA Boss who took time to explain the Strategic Blueprint (five Pillars) of the Ministry and of course the Agency’s eight Pillars of the SRAP document, and how they directly address some of the issues raised, urged for the need to co-create and co-design the solutions with the ecosystem, in order to build trust between the ecosystem and the government.
“We want them to know that the government is here to handhold and support them in terms of interventions, building the talents, and infrastructures in unserved and underserved communities, as well as providing the incentives for them to grow”, Inuwa assured.
Inuwa however challenged Northerners not to allow the identifed challenges in the area to hinder their innovative ideas, as there are silver linings in each difficulty.
“Lack of funding is always one of the issues, yes, but we can start with the small we have. It is not enough to always mention the challenges, let us also look for innovative ways to tackle them”, Inuwa urged.
Inuwa informed the audience that the Agency is conceptualising the idea of establishing Technology Development Zones, one in each geopolitical zone of the country, adding that there are plans to also have an average innovation hub in every state of the federation.
“To sustain and deal with the recurring challenge of monopoly of the hubs by some facilities in Universities, we are trying to come up with a framework where we can build innovation hubs outside of Universities, then sign an M.O.U with the ecosystem to bring in anyone that is willing to manage the facility, we will give the person targets and KPIs to aid the management of such hubs”.
“It is an idea we are trying to conceptualise and we are open to co-designing it with the ecosystem, so anybody who is interested can reach out to us, so that we can figure out how to achieve that”, the Director-General said.
Head of Experimentation, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Jamila Mohammed, while speaking on the essence of the meeting, maintained that the whole idea around having the conversation with the stakeholders for the northern innovation ecosystem is to begin to engage key players in the innovation space to come together and help in positioning the ecosystem, in order to address developmental challenges in the region.
“The essence of all this is to galvanise action to catalyse action, to be able to disrupt the way innovation is done in the region itself”.
“There is a need for us to pull all our resources together to be able to position the resource system to accelerate the SDGs, because we know we are far behind in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and there is that urgency to be able to come up with new methodologies, and solutions that will take us to that promised land”, Ms. Jamila noted.
Other stakeholders took turns to share their thoughts, as they unanimously affirmed the fact that the Northern Ecosystem Working Group (NEW-G) which was established in collaboration with UNDP remains a significant rallying point to nurture and fuel the Northern Ecosystem’s emergence with strategic levelling up initiatives.
Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has expressed concern over the proliferation of unethical advertisements on Meta-owned platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
The regulator criticised individuals and organisations promoting unverified health claims, warning that such practices endanger public health and violate advertising laws.
In a statement signed by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, its director-general, ARCON, announced plans to sanction those responsible for these misleading advertisements.
The agency highlighted that many of the claims lack scientific or clinical validation, putting Nigerian consumers at risk.
“Investigations reveal that these products are not certified by relevant regulatory agencies and may be unsafe for use. Advertisers exploit the unregulated nature of online platforms to circulate these unapproved ads,” ARCON stated.
The agency further explained that the ads were neither submitted to nor approved by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), a statutory body tasked with ensuring compliance with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022.
The ASP’s role includes vetting advertisements for ethical standards and adherence to Nigerian laws.
Some of the products include, Hookup Kit Runs Girl Package (It brings only rich and wealthy men to you), Nancy Secret Kayamata (Come and lock ur stubborn clients with us), Extreme Control Set (It comes with attention, love, control/command products to make your man grant your heart desires), Nancy Secret Kayamata (Very effective result is guarantee…) and Big Girls Soap (This is a special product for ladies that are expecting rich men & also favour from them and contractors can use it as well).
Dr. Edheba Trado Medical Centre also made two claims (We specialize in all bones dislocations, fractures, all spinal injuries; and Absolute treatment for all cases of high blood pressure)
While five claims were made by Billz Herbal Wellness (Bring all your ‘gbola’ issues to bills … I can help you get rid of that stubborn infection as well; Na ‘gbola’ wey sweet woman de fight for; Make it stronger, longer and last longer in bed; Meet the infection terminator; and Stop scratching and treat infection).
Jinja Herbal Extracts also has five claims (For treatment of infections, diabetes and others; The solution for all kinds of infections; Stabilises blood sugar level; Don’t let this lucrative opportunity pass by; and Boost your health with our super unique Jinja Herbal Extracts).
As part of efforts to reform the Education sector in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced the addition of hairstyling, plumbing, GSM repair, makeup and 12 other new trades/new subjects to the basic education curriculum.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) disclosed this in a statement released. The new trades were added to the Basic Education curriculum to boost students’ practical skills and employability.
The subjects include plumbing; tiling and floor works; POP installation; event decoration and management; bakery and confectioneries; hairstyling; makeup; interior design; GSM repairs and satellite/TV antenna installation.
Others are CCTV and intercom installation and maintenance; solar installation and maintenance; garment making; agriculture and processing (including crop production, beekeeping, horticulture and livestock farming like poultry and rabbit rearing), and basic digital literacy (including IT and robotics).
The statement mentioned that the new subjects will take effect from January 2025 for primary and junior secondary students across the country.
Social impact and industry leaders have called on Global Conglomerates, African Businesses, Philanthropies and Foundations meeting in Davos to support the advancement of social progress for African women and Girls.
Speakers from the ‘Reimagining the Business Case for investing in Africa’ Goals House event (21st January 2025) World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland pictured together left to right: Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission; Sophie Hodder, Director and Pillar Lead, Girl Capital Africa at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF); The Honourable Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Trade, Investment, and Industry of Nigeria; Paul Polman, Business Leader, climate and equalities campaigner; Nicola Galombik, Executive Director of Yellowwoods and Payal Dalal, Executive VP of Global Programs at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
Leaders who attended the two events organised by Brands on a Mission (BoaM), Children’s Investment Finance Foundation (CIFF) and Tiko – a non-profit leveraging technology to transform sexual and reproductive health – emphasised the social and economic advantages that can be won through investment in African women and girls.
BoaM Founder and Chief Mission Officer Professor Myriam Sidibe said, “as a woman and a lifelong advocate for sustainable business practices, I have witnessed the transformative power of investing in Africa’s greatest resource: its girls. They are not only the future of our continent but also the untapped potential that can drive unprecedented economic and social change.”
Investment in women and girls, who make up 50 percent of Africa’s population – makes good business sense with African women and girls driving up to 70 percent of consumer spend and acting as key decision-makers for four out of five products purchased in their households. Protecting the interests of women and girls also protects the interests of economic growth on the African continent.
According to the World Health Organisation, poor access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights services and products is to blame for approximately 73 million induced abortions that take place in Africa while over one million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day. Almost one in three women, across their lifetime have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, or sexual violence by a non-partner and almost half of all abortions are unsafe.
Professor Sidibe said, “in a rapidly evolving global landscape, businesses are increasingly challenged to find meaningful ways to align profit with purpose. Investing in African girls offers a unique opportunity to bridge this gap. By empowering young women through education, skills development, and access to critical resources, we lay the foundation for vibrant markets, resilient communities, and innovative ecosystems.”
The organisers of the two events held at the Goals House and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) tent called for a world in which private sector investment in evidence-based, impact-first initiatives in service of African girls and young women is the norm and not the exception.
The World Economic Forum in Davos brings together government, business, and civil society to address key global and regional challenges such as responding to geopolitical shocks, the climate crisis and stimulating growth to improve living standards.
Speakers at the first event held at the Goals House included moderation by Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission with speakers including Paul Polman, Business Leader, climate and equalities campaigner; The Honourable Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Trade, Investment, and Industry of Nigeria; Nicola Galombik, Executive Director of Yellowwoods; Payal Dalal, Executive VP of Global Programs at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth; and Sophie Hodder, Director and Pillar Lead, Girl Capital Africa at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).
The second event at the SDG tent included moderation by Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission and speakers including Sophie Hodder, Pillar Lead and Director, Girl Capital Africa – Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President/CEO – One Campaign, Hermann Betten, Chief Corporate Affairs & Communications Officer, Flora Food Group and Benoit Renard, Co-founder & CEO – Tiko.
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