How NITDA saved 100,000 jobs, creates 30,000 more – More than 100,000 ICT jobs would be retained while additional 30,000 jobs would be created as the Coronavirus pandemic cut through the nation’s economy, The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said at the weekend.
Its Director General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa said the Agency has developed mechanism to cushion the effect of the pandemic, and create more opportunities in the ICT sector.
Mallam Inuwa made the remarks at the launch of Innovation Support Network (ISN) for the Northern Regional Gathering 2020; a virtual event organized by the ISN in collaboration with Ford Foundation with the theme “Repositioning Hubs for Post pandemic success “.
He said NITDA set up the Tech4Covid19 committee which has come up with plans to ensure that it retains about 100,000 ICT Jobs, and create additional 30,000 in Post COVID-19 Era, stressing that several policies and programmes have been initiated “for the technology ecosystem and Startups to be able to withstand the impact of the pandemic.”
He explained that some of the initiatives would ensure that technology continues to enable innovation and entrepreneurship while addressing challenges of the society. According to him the Nigeria COVID-19 Innovation Challenge is where Nigerians were challenged to come up with innovations; to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Mallam Inuwa explained that the Startup Clinic was another platform for gathering Startups, mostly young people to meet with mentors, successful entrepreneurs, investors, Industry specialist, business consultants and hub operators with the goal of solving problems and challenges.
Mallam Inuwa said agriculture as the mainstay of the Nigerian Economy would remain a focus of the agency, as opportunities in the sector would be properly harnessed for greater good.
He stressed the need to promote deeper collaborations and partnerships to attract funding from multilateral organizations, as well as guide stakeholders in designing and implementing innovative solutions peculiar to the need of Nigerians.