World Creative & Innovation Day: NITDA grants 5 Nigerian Innovators N10m
By Ogaga Ariemu
In commemoration of World Creative and Innovation Day celebration, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), under Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has awarded 5 Nigerian innovators with N10million Naira grant.
Muhammad Abdullahi Bature of Schoola Limited, Jeremiah Kuro of Blieu-I Automation Limited, Nwauhinemere Emeka, Ajiboye Mayowa of CBTng.com and Izu Divine Freeman received the grant.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami made this known at the World Creativity and Innovative day ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the quality and originality of Nigerian innovators have showed that the future of digital Innovation sector is overwhelming.
He explained that 800 participants registered for the challenge and the top 5 has been awarded N2million naira each by NITDA.
He also stated that the winners will be incorporated into the Agency’s digital technology scheme followed with a letter of commendation from his office.
He urged startup to partake in critical thinking to upscale their innovativeness.
Pantami said the initiative support federal government’s policy on innovation which is almost concluded.
He xtrayed the success stories of Nigerians innovators in the IT industry.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of NITDA, Mr Abdullahi Kashifu in his remarks, he said, “Our drive towards building a robust framework and infrastructure to bolster technology innovation for all Nigerians has the firm and usual support of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim [Pantami].’’
“The Nigerian digital innovation space is making waves on the African continent and beyond. According to a report by the Startup Genome and a survey on Nigerian Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), there is about 6,500 MSMEs, some in the digital, with Lagos having about 700 digital innovation registered businesses worth over $2 billion. It is also noteworthy that Nigeria’s bustling fintech ecosystem, with over 200 fintech, global attention and venture capital investment.”
He explained that “Inline with our goals of strengthening the innovation ecosystem, we drive catalytic programs, like hackathons and innovation challenge, that will foster an innovation culture. It will also enhance the hubs, where innovative ideas are conceptualised and nurtured. Our programmes are designed to build innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities across Nigeria. Some of our key initiatives specifically designed to support the innovation ecosystem are Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation Support (TIES) Scheme, Bridge MassChallenge Nigeria and MIT-REAP Abuja.”
Among the winners of the challenge, an educational technology innovator, Ajiboye Mayowa while appreciating the federal government for the innovation, he said the fund will be channelled into innovative research and development.
UN recognises the importance of creativity and innovation to humanity, hence designated the 21st of April as the World Creativity and Innovation Day. The celebration started four years ago, on the 21st of April 2018.
