The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has formalised an agreement with a Japanese consortium to implement the Abuja Startup Hub Project.
The agreement, announced in a Facebook post by the NITDA on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, is a multi-million dollar initiative aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s innovation economy and nurturing the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
The agreement was signed with a consortium comprising Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd, Intem Consulting Inc, and Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd, all firms engaged by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project’s financier.
JICA-NITDA Collaboration Expands with Long-Term Vision
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa lauded the agreement as a major step forward in Nigeria-Japan technology cooperation.
He cited the ongoing success of the iHatch initiative, a startup accelerator run in collaboration with JICA, which has so far created over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs.
He also highlighted the strengthening of exchange programmes and joint tech initiatives between the two nations, positioning Nigeria to benefit from Japan’s advanced innovation ecosystem.
A Two-in-One Project with Shared Oversight
This development builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on April 10, 2025, between Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and Mr. Yuzurio Susumu, JICA’s Chief Representative in Nigeria.
According to NITDA, the Abuja Startup Hub Project consists of two distinct components:
- Component One, led by NITDA, is focused on constructing a state-of-the-art startup hub in Abuja, backed by a $11.2 million investment from JICA.
- Component Two, overseen by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), is valued at $40 million and aims to provide a national support system for social startups.
Together, these components represent a $51.2 million investment in Nigeria’s digital economy, with long-term implications for entrepreneurship, job creation, and private sector expansion.
The Need for an Abuja Startup Hub
According to NITDA, the Abuja Startup Hub is expected to become a catalyst for nurturing the next generation of tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The project is also targeted at job creation, private sector investment, and inclusive economic growth.
Experts confirmed that the initiative is not only about technology infrastructure but also about catalysing private sector investment and boosting Nigeria’s digital entrepreneurship capacity.
Implementation Timeline and Broader Impact
The project will span five years and eight months, running from April 2025 to December 2030. During this period, NITDA and NSIA will jointly manage execution, ensuring that it stays aligned with Nigeria’s broader innovation objectives.
Inuwa notes that NITDA and JICA are working to bridge the Nigerian and Japanese tech ecosystems, enabling networking opportunities and financing Nigerian startups to participate in activities in Japan.
Nigeria’s Growing Tech Ecosystem: More Than Just Abuja
While the Abuja Startup Hub is a flagship project, it is far from the only centre of innovation in Nigeria. In recent years, several cities across the country have made strategic moves to cultivate thriving tech ecosystems, positioning Nigeria as a regional leader in digital transformation.
Yaba, Lagos
Yaba in Lagos is one of Nigeria’s most vibrant tech corridor. Meta established a multi-million-dollar tech hub in partnership with CcHub in 2018.
Yaba also benefits from close proximity to the University of Lagos and is supported by robust broadband infrastructure and co-working spaces.
Ilorin, Kwara State
This year, Kwara State launched its own state-funded tech hub in Ilorin, aimed at nurturing youth-led innovation, digital entrepreneurship, and software development.
The Ilorin Innovation Hub, part of the state’s wider digital economy strategy, has already begun hosting coding bootcamps, startup demo days, and partnerships with private tech accelerators.
Enugu and Port Harcourt
In the southeast and south-south regions, states like Enugu and Rivers (Port Harcourt) have also initiated local tech clusters.
Enugu State Tech Hub Park is designed as a youth-driven innovation hub, while Port Harcourt also has The Ken Saro-Wiwa Innovation Hub specializing in Technology development for creatives.
Kano and Kaduna
Known as the commercial capital of Northern Nigeria, Kano has built a thriving ecosystem of a tech community. The Kano Technology Hub is building youths through technology.
Kaduna is also investing in digital infrastructure and youth capacity building. Kaduna ICT Hub, backed by partnerships with foreign donors and local tech firms, offers digital skills training for citizens.
