NITDA iHatch Programme Cohort 5 – Startup Incubation & Innovation Training in Nigeria

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through its Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), has officially launched applications for the iHatch Nationwide Incubation Programme Cohort 5 one of Nigeria’s most ambitious and inclusive startup development initiatives.

Widely recognized as Nigeria’s first truly nationwide incubation programme, iHatch operates across all 36 states and the FCT using a decentralized, hub-first model.

Unlike traditional incubation programmes that focus solely on startups, iHatch adopts a dual-track approach by also strengthening innovation hubs. This ensures hubs become long-term drivers of entrepreneurial growth within their regions.

Through this structure, participating startups continue to benefit from mentorship, resources, and ecosystem support even after the programme concludes creating a sustainable pipeline for innovation and business success across Nigeria.

Programme Structure

The iHatch Programme runs for 10 months and is divided into two major phases:

• Phase 1 – Innovation Hub Training (First 5 Months)

  • Training and certification of innovation hubs

  • Assessments and tiered rankings

  • Capacity-building for long-term ecosystem development

• Phase 2 – Startup Incubation (Final 5 Months)

  • Support for MVP development

  • Legal business incorporation

  • Market validation

  • Sector-specific training

  • Business development support

Benefits of the iHatch Programme

Participants will gain:

• Expert mentorship and coaching

• Access to experienced innovation hubs

• Continuous monitoring and business support

• Regional and national demo days

• Networking opportunities with investors and stakeholders

• Access to funding and partnership opportunities

• Equity-free startup support

• Local and international market exposure

Programme Impact So Far

Since inception, iHatch has achieved:

• Support for over 200 startups

• Training of 37 innovation hubs

• Creation of more than 1,000 direct jobs

• Development of over 100 market-ready MVPs

These milestones highlight the programme’s role in driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across Nigeria.

Cohort 5 Outlook

Cohort 5 is expected to deliver even greater outcomes through:

• Enhanced monitoring systems

• Stronger collaboration among hubs

• More targeted sector-focused support for startups