NINJA Startup: NITDA, JICA Others Partner To Boost Youth Entrepreneurship With U$8m

By Williams Anuku

A group of Information Communication Technology ICT experts have agreed to partner to support young Nigerian entrepreneurs who can prove their mettle in software applications, hardware and other computer-based technologies.

They have also agreed to stake $8million dollars to each team of five innovators who can successfully scale through certain criteria for the competition which is taking place in Abuja for the first time.

The scheme tagged Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA Startup Gateway) is being sponsored jointly by the Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA, National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, and Aiivon Innovation Hub.

According to Shohei Sato, JICA Nigeria office, he explained that NINJA Startup Gateway is meant to encourage Nigerian youths to find ways of solving local problems using technological innovation.

At a press conference to kick off the programme earnestly, Sato said participants are to enter the program by developing a scalable product to solve a prominent issue within their community, then going ahead to establish the company by legally incorporating it with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

He also noted that beyond creating an eco-system in Nigeria to promote entrepreneurship, the project seeks to identify peculiar issues experienced by entrepreneurs, make policy recommendations and strengthen corporate management capacity.

“NINJA Startup Gateway aims to solve social problems through business by supporting Nigerian youth and accelerate their business. There are many Nigerian youths with an innovative business idea but often those aren’t very profitable or sustainable. In this program we intend to contribute to the Nigerian society by creating a profitable and sustainable business, “Sato of JICA explained.

Adeseye Oguntade from NITDA corroborated JICA, saying it aims to solve prominent problems of society by leveraging emerging technologies and employment opportunities nationwide.

” This will help develop new and innovative solutions to challenges faced by traditional industries through cross-sector innovation, thereby creating a dynamic and competitive society, “Oguntade added.