GITEX 2019: Startups commend NITDA, request for more slots

Some startups that participated at the 39th Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) have commended the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), just as they requested for more slots in subsequent exhibitions for more wins.

Some of the startups expressed their gratitude last week at the conclusion of GITEX at the Nigerian Pavilion that held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

GITEX is the biggest technology show in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, which attracted over 200,000 interests and more than 145 countries on technological advancements across the globe.

Mr Stephen Osawaru, the Co-Founder, 247Medic, a health application that connects doctors with patients across Nigeria within a maximum waiting time of 10 minutes, said the agency needs to spread its reach to startups.

“I really appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria and NITDA for this international exposure.

“We feel that they should engage more partners, state governments so that they can also be involved in sponsoring more startups.

“When the number of startups increases at this kind of exhibition, we will stand better chances to win at different categories of competitions,” he said.

Ms Chioma Aniegbe, the Chief Executive Officer of Notitia with Blue Circle application, a solution that digitises patients’ medical history, said the Federal Government needs to be more open in creating awareness on its activities.

According to Aniegbe, there are so many Nigerian youths with innovative ideas but lack the knowledge of the platform where to showcase their potential.

“The Federal Government should be more open in telling Nigerians what they do. Nigerians have the solution to tackle most of our problems because our problems are more local.

“We can use our applications, ideas to address our problems, all we just need is the licensing, the endorsements and the enabling environment to thrive,” Aniegbe said.

Mr Muyideen Oladipupo, the Chief Executive Officer of Naira Packet, a Fintech solution that reduces the costs of micro transactions in Nigeria, secures crowd funding and donation platform for businesses, said the exposure has allowed him see innovations and interact with other people.

According to Oladipupo, he has met prospective investors and hopes to enlarge his business after GITEX.

He urged NITDA to engage more stakeholders to sponsor more startups across the country.

Dr Agu Collins, the chairman, Local Organising Committee of GITEX in the agency, said that this year’s GITEX has been an exhibition that added more value to the agency and the Federal Government.

According to Collins, Nigerian startups made the government of Nigeria proud at the global stage and reposed the confidence of investors in the country’s technology ecosystem.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, the director, e-Governance and Regulations Department, commended the Nigerian team to GITEX, urging every participant to impact the experience gained at the exhibition to the development of the nation’s technology industry development.