The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has described corps members and interns serving with the agency as catalysts for technological innovation capable of driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has described corps members and interns serving with the agency as catalysts for technological innovation capable of driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Speaking at the grand finale of the NITDA Innovation Challenge 1.0 held in Abuja, Inuwa urged them to transform their creative ideas into viable tech startups, assuring them of NITDA’s continuous support.
He recalled how his own tech career began during his NYSC year, when he developed a website for his place of primary assignment — a project that earned him his first ₦1.5 million contract before completing service.
“We know it’s not easy to get jobs after NYSC,” he said. “That’s why we are creating opportunities for you to build startups while serving. You can start testing your ideas right now.”
Over 550 corps members are currently serving with NITDA, many of whom have benefited from internal innovation programmes that encourage practical problem-solving and digital entrepreneurship.
Inuwa praised participants whose solutions ranged from performance tracking systems to certificate verification and job placement platforms.
The DG’s Office Director, Dr. Ayodeji Eniola, said the challenge represents a movement to institutionalise innovation within NITDA through the NITDA Innovation Framework (NIF), designed to improve efficiency across the public service.
The maiden edition attracted 35 submissions, out of which 24 teams participated, with six emerging winners.