The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has performed the Foundation Laying Ceremony of a proposed $10.4 billion state-of-the -art Renewed Hope Startup Hub in Wuye, Abuja.
She also commissioned the Door-to-door-to-door campaign headquarters in Abuja on Friday
According to her spokesperson, the Hub was partnership between the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA and the Government of Japan through its Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA.
Mrs. Tinubu described the Hub as yet another important step towards technological advancement, youth empowerment and digital inclusion for youth across the nation.
“The establishment of start-up hubs across the nation aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which prioritizes youth empowerment through entrepreneurship, skills development and sustainable job creation, equipping young Nigerians to compete and thrive in the global economy”.
“To our young innovators, this Start-Up Hub is yours. You can arrive here with a sketch and leave with a working prototype that takes you into the global market space. Let this hub be the home where your dreams are nurtured and scaled”.
The First Lady commended the collaboration between the government of Japan and Nigeria which she noted with admiration that it birthed the Startup Hub and many other developmental projects and initiatives.
“I want to acknowledge and express our appreciation to the Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for providing the strategic grant that has made this intervention possible. This partnership highlights the mutual belief in the vast, untapped potential of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and our vibrant youth population”.
In his remarks, the DG/CEO of NITDA Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi noted that since 2021, the partnership between the organisation and JICA focused on strengthening Nigeria’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem through capacity building, knowledge transfer, infrastructure development and international collaboration.
He said “This partnership is an investment of approximately US$10.4 million depending on the conversion rate for the innovation hub. The project is also presented as part of a broader Japan–Nigeria startup ecosystem support initiative involving complementary financing mechanisms”.
The Japan Ambassador to Nigeria Suzuki Hideo promised that with the improved economic atmosphere in the country, Japan was pleased to continue to expand its partnerships with Nigeria especially in the areas of Education and Technology.
The Firstdy similarly commissioned the PBAT Door-to-Door campaign headquarters in Abuja.
Mrs. Tinubu at the event said Nigeria was on the right path to total economic recovery and sustainable development emphasising that the confidence of investors in the nations economy has greatly improved.
She urged members of the Movement to not just go door to door but pass on the message of hope assured and shared prosperity.
“The door-to-door campaign approach remains one of the most vital avenues for true community engagement, which gives us the privilege to listen to the heartfelt concerns of families, understand the aspirations of our young people, honour the wisdom of our elders, and learn directly from the women who serve as the resilient backbone of our homes and society as a whole”.
“As we embark on this noble mission, let us always remember that impactful outreach extends far beyond visiting doorsteps. Our message must consistently resonate hope, peace, unity and development, especially the impactful progress the Tinubu administration has made so far”.
She commended the leadership and members of the Movement for already transversing 14 states of the Federation urging them to sustain the momentum as the APC presidential campaign formally ki
