DG/CEO of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with Google Nigeria is announcing the launch of a Google Hustle Academy Bootcamp, 2022. The Bootcamp is aimed at providing free online training for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to promote career skills and improve business operations, towards repositioning and increasing their revenue generation.

The Director General/CEO of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said NITDA is glad about this partnership with Google Nigeria, in line with its initiative of building the capacity of one million software developers by the end of 2023.

Mr. Inuwa is optimistic that the program will assist small businesses to grow by increasing revenue, positioning for investment, and building sustainable businesses for the future.

The Head of Brand Reputation, at Google Nigeria, Mr. Mojolaoluwa  Aderemi-Makinde, also expressed delight in the collaboration with NITDA to empower MSMEs to plan their digital marketing strategies, create business growth plans, identify new markets, access funding opportunities, and pitch success.

This training program initiated by NITDA promises to train and empower one million software developers in the country. The NITDA-Google Hustle Academy Bootcamp will enable MSMEs to maximize their potentials and key into existing opportunities for socio-economic development.

To ensure smooth and successful program implementation, the following eligibility criteria for entry into the Bootcamp are set out: Business Maturity: MSMEs with an existing business plan, with a defined product/service offering and willing to scale up:

Size of Operations: Businesses that have at least two full-time employees and have been operating for over twelve months; and Revenue generated: Businesses that have generated profit in the last 12 months or 1-3 months away from breaking even.

According to Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, NITDA, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is committed to implementing the National Digital economy policy for digital Nigeria. Their mandate is to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and regulation of Information Technology practices in Nigeria.

“The priorities of the agency as outlined in the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan are Developmental Regulation, Digital Literacy, and Skills, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technologies and Promotion of Indigenous Content”.

Mr. Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde, Head of Brand Reputation, Google Nigeria, also explained that Google Incorporation is an American multinational technology company specializing in Internet-related services and products. These include online advertising technologies, search cloud computing, and software.

Google is a giant-Tech Company that hires people with a broad set of technical skills to solve technology’s greatest challenges and make an impact on several millions of users.

Google Hustle Academy is an initiative under Grow with Google ideals that provides free training, tools, and resources to promote skills, career, and business growth.

“The Hustle Academy currently operates in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa to train MSMEs through live workshops, peer networking sessions, and mentoring sessions”