The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has described corps members and interns as key drivers of technological innovation, urging them to turn their creative ideas into viable startups capable of solving Nigeria’s real-life challenges.
He 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 from corps members and interns who showcased tech-driven projects developed under NITDA’s internal innovation programme aimed at improving service delivery and public sector efficiency.
Sharing his personal journey, Inuwa revealed how his own path 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 ₦1.5 million contract to develop another website. Since then, I have remained committed to creating value through technology.”
The NITDA boss disclosed that the agency currently hosts over 550 corps members, many of whom struggle to find employment after their service year.
To address this, he said NITDA is providing platforms that allow them to acquire digital skills, refine their ideas, and build startups even before completing their service.
“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.”
Inuwa commended the participants for their innovative projects, including smart performance tracking systems, digital branding tools, knowledge management platforms, job placement systems, and certificate verification solutions. “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 just a competition, calling it a “movement” that would redefine innovation within NITDA and across the public sector.
“What we are witnessing today is not just a programme but a movement,” he said. “The innovations developed here will not only transform NITDA but the entire public service.”
He explained that the initiative was inspired by Inuwa’s vision to institutionalise innovation through the NITDA Innovation Framework (NIF) — a blueprint for harnessing creativity and improving efficiency in governance. “Innovation is not about competition; it’s about collaboration,” he added. “Together, we are shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.”
The maiden edition of the Challenge attracted 35 submissions across departments, with 24 teams eventually participating in workshops, mentorship sessions, and pitching events. Of these, 23 teams successfully completed their projects, addressing 10 key operational challenges within NITDA.
Ten finalist teams presented their innovations before the NITDA Innovation Council, with six emerging as winners. The top six teams received cash awards as follows:
1st Place – Team X (COPA); 2nd Place – Team Sentinel (Smart ID); 3rd Place – Smart Track Innovators; 4th Place – Team Trivergent; 5th Place – Team TechLogs (SafeCheck); and 6th Place – Team Big Tech (Digital Brainbox) and Team SRAPture (tie).
The NITDA Innovation Challenge forms part of the agency’s broader strategy to promote creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS). Through such initiatives, NITDA aims to position itself as a model for innovation-driven governance and a launchpad for Nigeria’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
Read Also: NITDA Urges Nigerians to Embrace Cyber Hygiene for a Safer Digital Future
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