In the buzzing tech space of Nigeria, hope is once again on the rise—this time from the heart of the North Central region. Young innovators with bold dreams gathered in Abuja for the regional roadshow organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The mission? To connect Nigeria’s local tech talent with global markets—and possibly rewrite the story of innovation on the continent.
Under the theme “Bridging Nigeria’s Innovation with Global Opportunities,” the event wasn’t just about showcasing apps and ideas. It was a deliberate move to position Nigerian startups on the world stage—starting with GITEX, one of the biggest tech expos in the world, coming to Nigeria for the first time this September.
“We are not just here to clap for good ideas,” said Mr Olawunmi Oladejo, who represented NITDA’s Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa. “We’re here to create bridges from local ingenuity to global impact.”
And the message was clear: Nigeria has what it takes. Now it’s time the world knows it.
From Abuja to the World
The Abuja event is part of a six-region roadshow organised ahead of GITEX Nigeria 2025. This mega event, happening in Lagos and Abuja from September 1 to 4, is being organised by NITDA in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
With stops in Lagos, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Kano and Abuja, the roadshow is more than a warm-up. It is a talent hunt—a search for Nigeria’s most promising tech minds, ready to solve problems, scale globally and attract international investment.
Ms. Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation, put it simply: “We want the world to see what Nigerians are building. We want you to attract not just local funding, but international capital.”
Startup Dreams Take Centre Stage
Eighteen startups pitched their ideas at the North Central stop. After tough rounds of judging based on originality, scalability, and global relevance, five finalists emerged—and the top three will be sponsored to GITEX this September.
Hi-Prep, an educational platform that helps students learn smarter, came out on top. “It wasn’t easy developing this,” said Adanma Ugo, its passionate founder. “But knowing it’s helping students and now getting this kind of recognition—it’s worth it.”
Following closely were Fundusai, a healthcare startup focused on diagnostics, and Letmoveit.ng, a logistics platform aiming to simplify delivery solutions.
These aren’t just startups—they are solutions to problems that millions of Nigerians face daily. And that’s the kind of innovation the world needs.
What’s at Stake?
According to organisers, over 1,000 startups, 300 global investors, and nearly 20,000 participants are expected at GITEX Nigeria. For local innovators, it’s a shot at networking, investment, mentorship, and international exposure.
But more than that, it’s about telling a new story about Nigeria—one that’s not just about oil or politics, but about brains, ideas and solutions.
Mr Akande Ojo, Country Representative of DWTC, urged participants to be strategic: “Know your audience. Tailor your pitch. This is your window to the world.”
Nigeria has long been known for its hustle. From Lagos to Lokoja, young people are grinding, coding, creating. But many hit a brick wall when trying to scale—limited capital, lack of exposure, and sometimes, a system that doesn’t work in their favour.
NITDA’s move is a bold attempt to change that narrative—to show that Nigerian tech is not just surviving, but thriving and ready to compete globally.
And in true Nigerian fashion, someone at the event was overheard saying, “If Silicon Valley can do it, so can Surulere.”
It was said as a joke, but maybe they’re not wrong.
With the GITEX roadshow in full gear and September fast approaching, all eyes are now on the startups rising from these local pitches. Will they make the global leap? Only time will tell. But for now, one thing is certain—Nigeria’s tech future is no longer on standby. It’s loading, and it’s loading fast.
And this time, it might just be ready to export.
