NITDA pushes problem-solving innovations, picks 30 startups
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NITDA pushes problem-solving innovations, picks 30 startups
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has called on Nigerian technology startups to develop solutions to the country’s economic and social challenges, saying innovation must translate into improved productivity, business growth and job creation.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made the call during the inauguration of the Builders Festival, held on the sidelines of the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.
Abdullahi said the festival was designed to connect technology entrepreneurs with investors, corporate organisations and potential customers to facilitate the development and commercialisation of homegrown innovations.
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He disclosed that more than 1,388 startups applied to participate in the initiative, but only about 30 were selected.
The NITDA boss urged the selected entrepreneurs to focus on identifying problems and developing practical solutions rather than becoming overly attached to the technologies they create.
He said Nigeria’s challenges in critical sectors, including healthcare, agriculture and small business financing, offered enormous opportunities for technology-driven interventions.
Abdullahi cited healthcare as an example, revealing that NITDA’s research indicated that 80 per cent of Nigerian adults wanted access to telemedicine, while only 19 per cent had ever used the service.
He said the gap presented an opportunity for health technology startups to develop accessible digital healthcare solutions that could improve service delivery across the country.
On agriculture, he identified unpredictable weather conditions, inadequate soil information and poor market access as some of the challenges confronting farmers.
He said technology solutions providing weather forecasts, soil information, planting guidance, fertiliser recommendations and market connections could help farmers improve productivity and household incomes.
Abdullahi also urged startups to address the financing challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly through digital platforms that could help businesses maintain financial records, demonstrate performance and establish the transparency required by banks.
According to him, technology adoption should be measured by its impact on people’s productivity and economic well-being rather than merely by the availability of digital devices and services.
He said, “The goal is not to be in love with your technology, but to be in love with the problem you are solving. It’s about how your solutions can help millions of Nigerians improve their productivity and national prosperity.”
He added that entrepreneurs must develop products capable of reducing costs, saving time, creating wealth and competing in international markets.
The DG said the Builders Festival was established to bridge the disconnect between individuals and organisations with identifiable problems and technology developers with the capacity to provide solutions.
He explained that the initiative was not merely a platform for celebrating startups but an avenue for building partnerships that could transform innovative ideas into commercially viable businesses.
He congratulated the selected participants and urged them to assess the success of their innovations by the number of individuals and businesses they could help.
The Builders Festival is a strategic partnership between NITDA and Tech Revolution Africa, aimed at strengthening relationships among technology startups, investors, corporate organisations and institutions seeking digital solutions.
The organisers said the initiative would encourage collaboration, attract investment into local innovations and accelerate the adoption of homegrown technology solutions as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s digital economy.
