SHALOM OLALEYE
Three Nigerian startups have emerged as the frontrunners in the country’s thriving tech ecosystem, securing top honours at the iHATCH startup incubation program’s third cohort closing ceremony in Abuja.
Northinho, Dorpals Technologies, and Connected were awarded cash prizes of $15,000, $12,000, and $10,000, respectively, for their innovative solutions aimed at addressing societal challenges.
The program, a collaboration between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has been instrumental in fostering entrepreneurship and tech innovation in Nigeria.
Abubakar Umar, founder of Northinho, expressed his gratitude for the intensive training and support received from NITDA and JICA.
“This program has been transformative for us,” Umar said. “The knowledge and mentorship we’ve gained are invaluable, and I plan to use the prize money to further develop my venture.”
He also encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to stay persistent in their efforts, emphasizing the importance of believing in their ideas, even in the early stages.
The iHATCH program has expanded significantly since its inception in 2021, growing from a single location to five, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Gombe. According to NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, the program has already created 179 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs through the training of 16 startups.
“We are committed to nurturing a thriving ecosystem for startups in Nigeria,” Inuwa stated,
aligning the initiative with the government’s broader goals of industrialization and digitization.
Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, highlighted the importance of the partnership between Nigeria and Japan in promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
“These startups are a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration,” Kazuyoshi said. “As they grow, I foresee even stronger ties between Nigerian and Japanese companies, leveraging each other’s strengths for mutual prosperity.”