The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has challenged Nigerian technology entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions to the country’s pressing challenges, stressing that the success of technology businesses should be measured by their impact on people’s lives.
Inuwa gave the charge at the inauguration of the Builders Festival, organised on the sidelines of the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE), as a platform to connect Nigerian startups with investors, potential customers and organisations seeking technology-driven solutions.
He urged technology entrepreneurs to shift their focus from developing impressive products to identifying and addressing everyday problems confronting Nigerians, noting that such challenges present significant opportunities for innovation, business growth and national development.
According to him, sectors such as healthcare and agriculture offer enormous opportunities for technology-driven interventions capable of improving productivity and the living standards of millions of Nigerians.
He cited the difficulties farmers face in dealing with unpredictable weather conditions, inadequate soil information and limited access to markets, saying digital solutions that provide timely weather forecasts, planting guidance, fertiliser recommendations and market connections could significantly boost agricultural productivity and household incomes.
The NITDA chief executive also highlighted the potential of health technology, noting that everyday healthcare challenges could inspire entrepreneurs to develop practical solutions that would improve access to medical services across the country.
He explained that the Builders Festival was established to bridge the gap between individuals and organisations with pressing problems and technology entrepreneurs with the capacity to provide solutions.
Inuwa said the initiative goes beyond showcasing startups, as its primary objective is to bring together problem owners, technology developers, corporate organisations, investors and potential customers to build partnerships capable of transforming innovative ideas into viable businesses.
“The goal is not to be in love with your technology, but to be in love with the problem you are solving. It’s about how your solutions can help millions of Nigerians improve their productivity and national prosperity,” he said.
He noted that developing technology alone does not guarantee commercial success, stressing the need for entrepreneurs to create products that address genuine market needs and deliver measurable economic and social benefits.
Citing NITDA’s research, Inuwa disclosed that 80 per cent of Nigerian adults wanted access to telemedicine services, but only 19 per cent had ever used the service.
He also observed that more than 40 per cent of Nigeria’s population were farmers, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for the overwhelming majority of businesses in the country, continue to face challenges accessing bank credit.
He challenged startups to develop digital solutions that would improve agricultural productivity and help SMEs maintain proper financial records, demonstrate business performance and establish the transparency required by financial institutions to extend credit.
The NITDA director-general further emphasised that access to technology must translate into actual adoption and improved productivity, arguing that owning a mobile phone or having access to digital services would make little difference if people could not use them to save time, reduce costs, grow their businesses and increase their incomes.
He urged founders to develop solutions capable of delivering significant productivity gains, creating wealth and contributing to national prosperity, while ensuring their products could compete in international markets.
Inuwa disclosed that more than 1,388 startups applied to participate in the Builders Festival, but only about 30 were selected.
He congratulated the successful participants, urging them to measure their achievements by the number of lives improved and businesses strengthened through their innovations.
He added that Nigeria needed more platforms capable of connecting problem owners with problem solvers, supported by an enabling institutional environment to accelerate technology adoption, expand opportunities and strengthen the country’s digital economy.
The Builders Festival is a product of a strategic partnership between NITDA and Tech Revolution Africa, aimed at creating opportunities for Nigerian innovators to move beyond developing technology for its own sake and focus on practical solutions to the country’s challenges.
The partnership is also expected to strengthen collaboration among startups, investors, corporate organisations and institutions, attract investment, promote the adoption of locally developed solutions and accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
