The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has thrown its weight behind young innovators within its system, urging them to turn their creative concepts into viable technology enterprises capable of driving Nigeria’s digital transformation.
At the grand finale of the NITDA Innovation Challenge 1.0, held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, charged Corps members and Interns serving in the agency to translate their ideas into real products and services, assuring them of full institutional support.
Sharing from personal experience, Inuwa recounted how 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.”
He revealed that NITDA currently accommodates over 550 Corps members, many of whom face employment challenges after their service year. To tackle this, he said the agency is offering a supportive environment where they can acquire digital skills, refine their ideas, and build startups even before completing their NYSC programme.
“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.”
Commending participants for their creativity, the DG lauded the range of innovations presented — from smart performance tracking systems and digital branding tools to knowledge management platforms, job placement systems, and certificate verification solutions.
“These are solutions we truly need,” he said, encouraging them to continue exploring new possibilities and building solutions that will define Nigeria’s digital future.
The NITDA Innovation Challenge 1.0, part of the agency’s internal innovation drive, featured project showcases by Corps members and Interns, all developed under a structured programme designed to solve real-life problems and enhance service delivery.
In his remarks, Dr. Ayodeji Eniola, Director in the DG’s Office, described the challenge as far more than a competition, calling it a “movement” that will redefine the culture of innovation within NITDA and the wider public sector.
“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.”
He explained that the initiative stemmed from the DG’s vision to institutionalise innovation through a structured mechanism — the NITDA Innovation Framework (NIF) — which provides a roadmap for harnessing creativity and improving public sector efficiency.
“Innovation is not about competition; it’s about collaboration,” Eniola added. “Everyone who took part in this challenge has contributed to building the foundation of something much bigger. Together, we are shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.”
Under the framework, staff, Corps members, and Interns were encouraged to identify and propose solutions to internal operational challenges and broader national digital transformation goals.
The maiden edition of the Challenge attracted 35 submissions from various departments. Following screening, 13 priority challenges were selected, forming 24 teams that went through workshops, mentorship sessions, and pitching events. Out of these, 23 teams successfully completed their projects, addressing 10 key internal issues within the agency.
Ten finalist teams presented their innovations before the NITDA Innovation Council, with six emerging as overall winners.
The winners were:
- 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)
- 6th Place (Tie): Team Big Tech (Digital Brainbox) and Team SRAPture
The NITDA Innovation Challenge forms a crucial part of the agency’s broader strategy to foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving within the public sector, in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS). Through initiatives like this, NITDA aims to position itself as both a model for innovation-driven governance and a launchpad for young Nigerian entrepreneurs eager to transform ideas into impactful solutions.