The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has encouraged Corps members and interns serving with the agency to transform their creative ideas into viable technology startups, assuring them of NITDA’s full support in turning their innovations into real products and services.
Inuwa made the call at the grand finale of the NITDA Innovation Challenge 1.0, held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. The event featured presentations by Corps members and interns who showcased technology-driven projects developed under NITDA’s internal innovation programme aimed at solving real-life problems and improving service delivery.
Sharing his personal story, the DG recalled that his own journey in technology began during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year more than two decades ago.
“I had an opportunity to build a website for the place I served, and that opened doors for me,” he said. “Before I finished my service, a company offered me a contract worth ₦1.5 million to develop another website. Since then, I have remained committed to creating value through technology.”
Inuwa revealed that NITDA currently hosts over 550 Corps members, many of whom struggle with employment opportunities after their service year. To tackle this, he said the agency is creating platforms to help them acquire digital skills, refine their ideas, and build startups before completing their service year.
“We know it’s not easy to get jobs after NYSC,” he noted. “So, we are creating opportunities for you to build your own startups while you are here. You don’t have to wait until after your service year — you can start testing your ideas right now.”
The DG commended the participants for developing innovative solutions ranging from smart performance tracking systems and knowledge management platforms to digital branding tools and certificate verification systems.
“These are solutions we truly need,” he said. “Continue exploring new possibilities and building solutions that will define Nigeria’s digital future.”
In his remarks, Dr. Ayodeji Eniola, Director in the DG’s Office, described the Innovation Challenge as more than a competition — calling it a “movement” that will redefine innovation across NITDA and the wider public service.
“What we are witnessing today is not just a programme but a movement,” he said. “In the years to come, the world will look back at this moment and celebrate it because the innovations developed here will not only transform NITDA but the entire public service.”
Dr. Eniola explained that the initiative was inspired by the DG’s vision to institutionalise innovation through a structured framework, leading to the creation of the NITDA Innovation Framework (NIF) — a blueprint for harnessing creativity and improving public sector efficiency.
The maiden edition of the Challenge attracted 35 submissions from various departments. After screening, 13 priority challenges were selected, leading to the formation of 24 teams that participated in workshops, mentorship sessions, and pitching events. Of these, 23 teams completed their projects, addressing 10 key internal challenges within the agency.
Ten finalist teams presented their innovations before the NITDA Innovation Council, with six emerging as winners.
The NITDA Innovation Challenge is part of the agency’s broader strategy to promote creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving within the public sector in alignment with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).
Highlights of the event included the presentation of cash awards to the top six winning teams as follows:
- Team X (COPA) – 1st Place
- Team Sentinel (Smart ID) – 2nd Place
- Smart Track Innovators – 3rd Place
- Team Trivergent – 4th Place
- Team TechLogs (SafeCheck) – 5th Place
- Team Big Tech (Digital Brainbox) and Team SRAPture – tied for 6th Place
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