The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has officially entered into an agreement to implement the Startup Hub Project with the Chief Consultant, a
consortium made up of Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., Intem Consulting Inc., and Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd. This consortium was appointed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to execute the initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.
This agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 10, 2025, by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Mr. Yuzurio Susumu, Chief Representative of JICA Nigeria Office, signed on behalf of the Japanese government. The partnership is part of a bilateral effort to promote innovation, support new enterprises, and establish a modern facility equipped with advanced digital tools and collaborative spaces.
The Startup Hub Project consists of two key components. The first is the construction of a state-of-the-art Startup Hub valued at $11.2 million, to be managed by NITDA. The second component is a $40 million initiative titled "Project for the Development of a Supporting Environment for Social Startups in Nigeria," which will be implemented by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration with JICA, particularly through the iHatch program, which has generated over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs. He highlighted the value of joint efforts to strengthen ties between the Nigerian and Japanese tech sectors through exchange programs and the creation of supportive environments for startups.
Inuwa also emphasized that this project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by contributing to economic diversification and fostering globally competitive, innovation-led businesses.
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