NITDA backs Startup South drive to drive innovation

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has backed Startup South’s efforts to unlock Nigeria’s untapped innovation potential. Latest data revealed that more than half of applicants to its OffChart NXT Startup Challenge have achieved revenue traction despite limited access to external funding.

Priye Itonyo, Regional Head of NITDA South-South, reaffirmed the agency’s support during a media briefing in Port Harcourt ahead of OffChart NXT, scheduled for October 22 and 23 at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Rivers State.

Itonyo said collaboration between government, private-sector organisations and technology entrepreneurs was essential to building a digital economy that creates jobs, improves living standards and addresses Nigeria’s development challenges.

He said NITDA’s support included raising awareness of the initiative and helping more Nigerians access platforms where they could develop ideas, build businesses and explore technology-driven opportunities.

Data released by the organisers of the 2026 OffChart NXT Startup Challenge show that 53.5 per cent of the 142 applicants reported early paying customers, a growing customer base, recurring revenue or rapid scaling. However, 66.2 per cent had never raised external funding, while only eight applicants, representing 5.6 per cent, reported having previously secured angel investment. For Uche Aniche, founder of Startup South and convener of OffChart NXT, the findings highlight the gap between building a commercially viable business and securing the resources needed to scale it.

“What stands out is that these founders are not simply waiting for somebody to fund an idea. More than half are already reporting paying customers or stronger revenue signals, yet two in three have never raised external capital,” Aniche said.

“The opportunity is to connect businesses like these to the capital, customers, technology, distribution and institutional relationships that can move them forward.”

The application data also highlight the spread of entrepreneurial activity beyond Nigeria’s traditional business centres. Of the 137 Nigerian applications for which a state could be identified, 76.6 per cent came from outside Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.

Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Imo and Akwa Ibom were among the states represented, alongside several others. The figures reinforce Startup South’s position that Nigeria’s innovation potential extends beyond Lagos and Abuja.

The sector breakdown also shows that startup activity extends beyond financial technology. Agriculture and Agritech accounted for 24 applications, Education and EdTech recorded 19, while Health and HealthTech attracted 15. Together, the three sectors represented 40.8 per cent of the application pipeline, compared with 10 applications from Financial Services and FinTech.

Aniche said Startup South was interested in innovation across different industries, particularly how technology could support the energy sector, given the South-South’s importance to Nigeria’s oil and gas economy.

As part of its support for emerging businesses, Startup South has mobilised approximately ₦13 million in prize money for the Startup Challenge. The competition has two principal categories: Early Traction, with a stated ₦5 million grand prize, and Early Growth, with a stated ₦10 million grand prize. An additional ₦2 million Community Prize will be determined through public voting.

According to Aniche, shortlisted founders have undergone approximately three weeks of training ahead of the pitch sessions.

Payment technology company FaceTag has contributed ₦3 million to the prize pool and is offering the two top-performing startups three months of free transaction fees on its platform, a benefit expected to reduce their payment-processing costs.

Beyond the competition, OffChart NXT will feature a deal room designed to connect founders with corporate organisations and potential business partners. Aniche said the organisers were matching companies with startups whose products and services aligned with their interests.

The meetings are expected to create opportunities for commercial contracts, partnerships, mentorship and other forms of business support. He stressed that the deal room was not limited to investment, as some startups could benefit from corporate customers and industry relationships that would help them expand.

Founders who missed the initial application and training process may also have an opportunity to pitch through the White Card Pathway, subject to the organisers’ participation requirements.

The conference is expected to attract representatives of Nokia, LemFi and Renaissance Africa Energy, alongside professional associations and government officials. The organisers also expect participation from the Rivers State Government.

Itonyo used the briefing to reiterate Nigeria’s digital literacy targets of 75 per cent by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2031. He said NITDA was working with institutions, training providers and other stakeholders to expand digital skills programmes and ensure that more Nigerians could participate in the digital economy.

Aniche said one of Startup South’s long-term objectives was to strengthen Port Harcourt’s position in global startup ecosystem rankings and help other cities in the South-South gain greater recognition.

He said Port Harcourt already featured in StartupBlink’s rankings and that the organisation wanted to improve the city’s position while helping more cities in the region work towards the global top 100.

He argued that Nigeria’s entrepreneurial potential lay not only in its natural resources but also in the ingenuity and capacity of its people. Rather than waiting for government to create every enabling condition, he urged entrepreneurs to identify opportunities, build solutions and demonstrate what was possible, allowing policymakers to respond to emerging needs.

For Startup South, OffChart NXT is intended to bring overlooked opportunities into view, connect founders with the resources needed to scale and strengthen links between Nigeria’s emerging innovation hubs and the global economy.

The two-day event is scheduled for October 22 and 23 in Port Harcourt.