The Northern Ecosystem Working Group Aims to Boost Entrepreneurship in Northern Nigeria

In recent endeavours to enhance the entrepreneurship and innovation landscape in Northern Nigeria, the Northern Ecosystem Working Group (NEW-G) has issued a call for increased collaboration to drive growth and development in the region. Despite being home to a wealth of creative and innovative talent, Northern Nigeria has not been able to fully harness its potential in the entrepreneurship sphere. Several surveys and discussions have highlighted the challenges that have hindered the region’s innovation ecosystem, prompting the NEW-G to advocate for urgent action.

Jamila Aliyu Mohammed, the head of experimentation and public sector innovation at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), emphasised the need for new approaches to address the complex development challenges facing the region. During a recent stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Abuja, Mohammed stressed the importance of placing the region on the map to attract visibility and opportunities for funding and investment. She also highlighted the NEW-G’s Ecosystem Mapping Project, which aims to analyse and chart Northern Nigeria’s innovation terrain to drive collaboration and focused action.

Musa Ali Baba, the coordinator of NEW-G, reiterated the group’s commitment to elevating the region’s innovation ecosystem and showcasing its achievements. He emphasised the role of conversations and collaboration in driving inclusive growth, underscoring the importance of gathering data and fostering partnerships with investors and entrepreneurs. Additionally, he called for a unified effort to tackle critical challenges such as infrastructure and capacity development.

Kashifu Abdullahi, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), echoed the sentiment of urgency in addressing the issues facing the northern ecosystem. He emphasised the importance of stakeholder engagement and discussions in paving the way for meaningful change and strengthening the region’s innovation landscape.

The efforts of the NEW-G represent a significant step towards fostering a sustainable and dynamic innovation ecosystem in Northern Nigeria. By promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and inclusivity, the group aims to create a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and drive economic growth in the region.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja