NITDA partners GITEX for start-up visibility – NITDA Boss By Ifeoma Ikem
The Director General, Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mallam Inuwa Abdullahi says its partnership with GITEX will expose the country’s start-ups to gain right visibility and traction that will attract investors.
Abdullahi said this in Lagos at Eko Innovation Center Ikoyi, where about 20 startups were shortlisted to face the jury for the final selection process.
He noted that NITDA will continue to give support to young Nigerians with start-ups in various forms to catalyse the entire eco-system towards building a sustainable growth to the economy.
The Head of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr Aristotle Onumo who represented the NITDA boss, said that such event coming to Nigeria will help to enhance some of the innovative skills of the youth.
“Some of the startup that will be selected here will begin to market themselves, meeting others across the globe.
“We will hope to focus in creating a platform to develop Nigeria into sustainable economy which is the whole vision of sustainable map, he added.
Our Correspondent reports that GITEX 2022 North Star Pitch Competition in Lagos Zone is for applicants from Nigerian to apply to participate at Gulf Information Technology Exhibition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Nigerian startups have the option of applying through Abuja or Lagos for the final selection of four startups to represent the country at the GITEX Future Stars (GFS) now rebranded as North Star, the largest Pitch gathering for startups, mentors and innovation investors from over 120 countries.
The Lagos state representative, Tubosun Alake, Special Adviser on Innovation and Technology to the governor, said that the initiative is a symbolic partnership between the Federal Government and Lagos state.
“The idea is good; it gives opportunities to startup players who want a better access to foreign and local market to key into ecosystem in Lagos’’.
Alake said that one of the objectives of the initiative was to grow the ecosystem and give Nigerian start-ups more recognition across the globe.
“It will also help our start-ups grow into international market which will expand our revenue’’.
One of the event organisers, Victor Afolabi, Chief Executive Officer of Hazon Holdings said Nigeria being part of the initiative is a demonstration of the talents of the youths that will bring investors into the country.
Akande Ojo, the Chief Executive Officer, Pinnacle Global Business Services Limited/Pinnacle International Consulting, said the start-up will help the participants to be focused and determined.
“It will also equip, solve most problems facing the youth and create job opportunities.
