iHATCH: NITDA, Japan Award $37,000 in Cash Prizes to 3 Nigerian Startups
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iHATCH: NITDA, Japan Award $37,000 in Cash Prizes to 3 Nigerian Startups
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Three Nigerian startups have emerged victorious in the iHATCH startup incubation programme’s third cohort, taking home a total of thirty seven thousand dollars ($37,000) in cash prizes.
The iHATCH programme, launched in 2022, aims to tackle social issues with innovative and creative solutions, generate employment opportunities, and boost Nigeria’s economic development.
The initiative by National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA and Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA has trained 16 startups with 32 participants, creating a combined 179 jobs and over 1000 indirect jobs.
Northinho, a startup founded by Abubakar Umar, won the top prize of $15,000, while Dorpals Technologies and Connected received $12,000 and $10,000 respectively.
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The cash prizes were awarded at the closing ceremony of the programme in Abuja on Friday, which was attended by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, and Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi.
Speaking at the event, NITDA Director-General, Inuwa emphasized the government’s commitment to accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation.
“The iHATCH programme is fostering a thriving ecosystem for startups, empowering the next generation of tech innovators in Nigeria,” he said.
Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, reiterated Japan’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria, noting “We see this initiative as a gateway to not only enhancing local initiatives but also exploring opportunities to export Nigerian talents to Japan”.
The winners expressed gratitude to NITDA and JICA for their intensive training and support.
Abubakar Umar, founder of Northinho, encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to remain persistent in their endeavors. “Believe in what you do, even if your ideas are still evolving. Keep working on your projects, and one day you will look back and appreciate how far you have come.”
The event was attended by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, who commended the participants and expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for their support. “This is not just about technology; it is about making our country proud and showcasing that Nigerian youth are innovative and creative.”
