The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be training 185 startups and 37 innovation hubs in Idea Hatch(iHatch) Cohort 4 programme.Mrs Hadiza Umar, Director, Cooperate Communications and External Relations of the agency, said this on Sunday, in a statement she issued in Abuja.

The programme was an initiative designed to support Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem, with theme “Fostering Innovation, Building Ecosystems, Scaling Startups. ”“The programme officially launched in October 2024 and will run through January 2025, providing 185 startups and 37 innovation hubs across Nigeria with the resources they need to scale and succeed in local and global markets.“iHatch Cohort 4 is a critical part of NITDA’s Digital Economy Policy, designed to foster entrepreneurship, drive economic growth, and create jobs by providing startups with tailored mentorship, training, and investment readiness.“This initiative reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, focusing on economic diversification and the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.“The iHatch programme is uniquely structured to provide comprehensive support to both startups and innovation hubs across the nation,” she said.She said that the programme with its dual approach would also strengthen the capacity of innovation hubs to act as sustainable incubators for local entrepreneurs.According to her, 90 per cent of startups will incorporate with the Corporate Affairs Commission by the end of the programme, while 80 per cent of them would develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ready for market testing.She added that 30 per cent of startups would secure investment from investors, grants, or partnerships facilitated by the programme, 1,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created through the startup and hub ecosystem.“70 per cent of startups will remain operational six months after the programme, demonstrating long-term sustainability.”Umar stated that Nigeria was on the verge of becoming a leading player in Africa’s digital transformation.She added that iHatch Cohort 4 programme aligned with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) which sought to build a strong knowledge economy and encourage innovation-driven enterprises (IDEs).“By focusing on both startups and hubs, the programme will catalyse economic diversification, job creation, and technology-driven solutions that will address local challenges and contribute to global competitiveness.“The programme is also a direct contribution to the Nigerian Startup Act, which aims to foster an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive,” she said.Umar said that application for startups and innovation hubs was open and interested applicants were encouraged to apply through the official iHatch website.She said interested applicants should visit programs.startup.gov.ng/ihatch, or follow NITDA on social media at NITDANigeria and ONDINigeria.Ms Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator, Office of Nigerian Digital Innovation and iHatch programme manager, said the programme would accelerate the growth of the startup ecosystem across Nigeria.Fabunmi said it would equip innovators with the knowledge, resources, and funding they needed to turn their ideas into impactful businesses.“Through the partnership with JICA and local innovation hubs, we are building a more inclusive and vibrant digital economy in Nigeria.”She said that the programme would support startups from all 36 states and the FCT, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs from all regions.“It would enable startups operating in high-impact sectors such as fintech, agritech, healthtech, logistics, education tech, and civic tech would receive tailored support, with a focus on innovation and scalability.“Innovation hubs will undergo training to enhance their ability to support startups with mentorship, facilities, networking, and access to funding and the programme will also foster international partnerships and exposure for hub managers.“Startups will participate in a demo day to pitch their business ideas to investors, corporates, and ecosystem stakeholders, aiming to secure funding and partnerships,” she said.The NITDA is responsible for shaping Nigeria’s IT sector through policy development, standards, and regulations.JICA is Japan’s premier development agency, providing financial and technical support to developing countries.The programme had the iHatch Cohort 1, iHatch Cohort 2 and iHatch Cohort 3 and had trained a number of participants.(NAN)