By Seun Adams
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and MassChallenge Nigeria have signed up deal with the sole aim of advancing Nigeria’s innovative ecosystem.
The Director General of NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi, disclosed that the agency’s support will lead to job and empowerment creation for the country.
According to him, the move is to help entrepreneurs grow their brands and initiatives locally while having easy access to the global ecosystem.
The NITDA boss who was represented by the acting National Coordinator, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovations, Mr. Yakubu Musa, expressed optimism at the collaboration during a virtual meeting with the MassChallenge Global Partnership Manager, Kevin O Reilly.
The DG stated that, as part of efforts of the agency in implementing the promotion of indigenous content, a strategic pillar of the agency’s strategic road map and action plan 2021-2024, the MassChallenge Nigeria will help create and further promote a vibrant start up ecosystem which can create lasting solutions to some of the economic challenges being faced currently.
“Innovation is a prominent way of creating prosperity for all and lifting countries out of poverty.” he stated.
Abdullahi, disclosed that the MassChallenge Nigeria competition will identify and accelerate top startups in Nigeria while exposing them to NITDA’s facilities and connecting them to the global network.
“Startups participating in the program will have access to facilities such as our National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for their prototyping.” The CEO, stated.
He promised the agency’s facilitation of incentives for startups participating in the program such as experienced mentorship from multinationals, adding that the product support teams from these multinationals will help the startups develop technical marketing which will help in building their businesses.
In his presentation, Reilly reiterated that MassChallenge, looks forward to working with NITDA to continue to support and grow the Nigerian innovation ecosystem.
According to him, startups participating in the MassChallenge Nigeria 2021 will have access to tailored mentorship and coaching from NITDA and MassChallenge mentors.