The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reinforced its commitment to youth and MSME empowerment through digital innovation by hosting international partners, including the KOICA Nigeria Office, Korean experts, and academic leaders, for a high-level engagement on strategic collaboration.
Representing NITDA’s leadership, the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, welcomed the delegation and underscored the importance of the partnership in unlocking Nigeria’s innovation potential. He noted that Nigerian youth, who constitute nearly 40 per cent of the population, are actively engaged in the startup ecosystem despite prevailing unemployment challenges.
Dr. Onumo disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to harness this potential, with NITDA taking deliberate steps to establish a leading academic hub for youth-driven innovation and entrepreneurship.
During the engagement, the visiting delegation introduced a multidisciplinary team spearheading the initiative and presented the “PMC Service for Strengthening Youth and MSMEs through the Establishment of a Start-Up Digital Innovation Academy.”
They explained that the project is designed to build a self-sustaining ecosystem that integrates education, entrepreneurship, investment, and policy development. The initiative aimed to address fragmentation within the startup space while strengthening Nigeria’s overall innovation and business environment.
A senior representative of the delegation further highlighted NITDA’s strategic role in e-government and digital advancement, stressed that the collaboration will enhance the capacity of existing startups and nurture emerging innovators.
The partnership is also expected to generate insights that will shape sustainable MSME capacity-building models aligned with NITDA’s digital ecosystem.
The initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritised youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and economic diversification. Through strong global partnerships and access to critical tools and expertise, Nigerian youth and MSMEs are being positioned not just as participants, but as innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders driving productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable national development.
