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THE National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has called on eligible Nigerians to apply for its technology innovation and entrepreneurship scheme programme. Hadiza Umar, head, corporate affairs and external relations, NITDA, said the programme would ensure digital job creation and the nation’s economic growth.
Umar in a statement explained that the scheme was a capacity building programme for ICT hub managers, young Nigerians and innovative startups. According to her, the capacity building is needed, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic period.
She said it was because ICT hubs and startups in Nigeria suffered from issues of capacity deficiency such as the ability to support start-ups, poor infrastructure and high operational costs. She also said it would ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda toward creating 100 million jobs in 10 years, as well as the digital economy strategy, were achieved.
“There is a need to build support systems that would help in reducing the barriers of entry for startups while increasing the capacity of hubs and startups to create newly bankable products and services. NITDA initiated a scheme to provide opportunities for building the capacity of both hub owners and start-ups to ensure massive creation of technology entrepreneurs and jobs within the industry.
“In line with the Digital Economy policy, the programme is designed to ensure that hub managers have the required skills set to support digital startups and build innovation ecosystems in their localities. It will also build the capacity of hubs to support startups and build local innovation ecosystems, encourage innovation, increase technology and entrepreneurship skills among aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
“The programme will encourage local content solutions-based products, services, increase the potential for job creation in the innovation and technology sector,” she said.
According to Umar, the programme comprised hub up-skilling, technical capacity building, incubation and internship programmes. She said the prospective hub managers to be selected would be required to sign an agreement with NITDA to train upcoming hub managers within their region.
She said the agreement would cover equipping upcoming ones with the skills to run a hub, support innovative startups and build an innovation ecosystem in their localities. She noted that the programme is designed to support the ideas stage to move from ideas to the market.
“It will be implemented in partnership with the hubs that are part of the programme and the participants will be assigned to hubs where they will get access to infrastructure. Infrastructures such as internet connectivity, power supply and a rich network of other innovators.
“The participants will also be matched with mentors and guided by coaches as they build out their products and services. At the end of the training period, participants will be required to choose if they would like to begin a startup or to get a job.”
– Jul. 17, 2020 @ 17:39 GMT |
Tags: entrepreneurship support scheme NITDA opens entry for technology innovation
