*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, reaffirms the agency鈥檚 role in aligning Nigeria鈥檚 digital development with the national priorities of reforming the economy for sustained, inclusive growth to accelerate economic diversification, industrialisation and digitisation

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched the second cohort of the IgniteHer Bootcamp for Women Entrepreneurs.

绿帽献妻 reports Igniteher is NITDA’s strategic initiative aimed at accelerating gender inclusion and economic empowerment through digital innovation.

The bootcamp with the theme, 鈥淓mpowering Women Entrepreneurs for Growth and Innovation鈥�, was launched in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Dr. Tambuwal (middle) in a group photograph with other officials at the event

The forum attracted selected women entrepreneurs from across Nigeria, both physically and virtually, for rigorous training in digital skills, innovation management, business development, and investor readiness.

The Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory, said the event was a powerful demonstration of its commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s present administration.

Declaring the event open, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, reaffirmed the agency鈥檚 role in aligning Nigeria鈥檚 digital development with the national priorities of reforming the economy for sustained inclusive growth and accelerating economic diversification through industrialisation and digitisation.

Inuwa stated: 鈥淭hrough IgniteHer, we are actualising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu鈥檚 Renewed Hope Agenda by expanding women鈥檚 access to technology and economic opportunity.”

The Director-General, represented by Dr. Ahmed Tambuwal, Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department at NITDA, noted that inclusive innovation is a cornerstone of NITDA鈥檚 Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0: 2024鈥�2027).

According to the agency, it supports national aspirations for inclusive growth, poverty eradication, and youth empowerment.

The NITDA Chief further said: 鈥淲e are not merely imparting skills; we are creating self-reliant entrepreneurs, change-makers, and leaders.”

Inuwa as well disclosed that the IgniteHer Bootcamp is also a key component of the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS), through which NITDA is working to empower 12.7 million Nigerian women with digital literacy skills by 2027.

He averred that the programme complements broader government efforts to bridge gender gaps, enhance productivity, and reduce unemployment, especially among young women.

Citing a report by the World Wide Web Foundation, the Director-General emphasised that closing the digital gender gap, in Nigeria, could unlock an estimated $13 billion in GDP growth over the next decade.

鈥淭his training is a step towards harnessing this economic potential and ensuring that women play an integral role in shaping the digital landscape of Nigeria,” Inuwa said.

He, therefore, urged participants selected from over 12,000 applicants to seize the moment and shape the future of Nigerian entrepreneurship.

Highlighting NITDA鈥檚 leadership in strategic partnerships, he also commended JICA and the Japanese Government of their ongoing collaboration in supporting digital empowerment through programmes, such as IgniteHer and the iHatch Incubation Programme.

These initiatives, NITDA said, provides startup support, mentorship, and innovation development to early-stage entrepreneurs across the West African country.

Inuwa asserted: 鈥淎t NITDA, we believe that inclusive innovation is not just an ideal but a critical strategy that ensures the growth of a stronger economy, the development of smarter solutions, and the existence of more resilient communities.

“Through IgniteHer, we are dismantling barriers and replacing them with pathways to opportunity.”

In his remarks on the occasion, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, restated Japan鈥檚 long-standing commitment to innovation and gender inclusion in Nigeria.

Kazuyoshi announced that Japan, through JICA, is currently supporting two grant projects worth $30.9 million, focused on improving Nigeria鈥檚 startup ecosystem, strengthening the investment climate, and building an inclusive innovation hub.

The Ambassador also referenced the upcoming Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) with the theme, 鈥淐o-create Innovative Solutions with Africa鈥�.

He noted the forum was a further testament to Japan鈥檚 dedication to deepening Africa-Japan cooperation on digital transformation and entrepreneurship.

Hajiya Hafsat Salabi-Dange, Lead Facilitator of IgniteHer, described the programme as a catalyst for social and economic transformation.

In commending NITDA鈥檚 visionary approach to development, Hajiya Salabi-Dange stated that the programme is a movement that is bridging the digital gender divide and fostering economic independence.

She encouraged the participants in the programme to remain curious, intentional, and bold.

Lead Facilitator of IgniteHer stated: 鈥淲hat you will gain here goes beyond business.

“It is a tool for community uplift, national growth, and generational impact.鈥�

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