The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the release of a list of 10 startups that have been selected to receive a N10 million grant under the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technology Application (4IRTA) in the Agricultural program. The Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy revealed that these startups will be given funding to drive the application of 4IR technology in their work.
The initiative, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate to cultivate 500,000 hectares of land nationwide to boost food security, aims to support the selected startups in implementing innovative technological solutions in the agricultural sector. The Ministry of Agriculture will also play a pivotal role in providing additional support to help scale and sustain these projects.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, expressed his satisfaction with the response received during the application process. He stated that over 2,000 applications were received, which then underwent a rigorous second round of reviews conducted by renowned 4IR technology researchers and practitioners of Nigerian descent worldwide.
Criteria such as the alignment of the proposed solutions with the objectives of 4IRTA, solution readiness, and the quality of video demonstrations were utilized in the selection process. The chosen startups demonstrated remarkable potential in utilizing technology to revolutionize the agricultural industry.
In a related development, the Ministry of Technology has launched an application process for its Agriculture Demonstration Project, offering Nigerian tech enthusiasts the opportunity to access a sum of N10 million. Minister Bosun Tijani made this announcement, adding that a list of successful candidates for the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program has also been unveiled.
With a commitment to fostering innovation and supporting economic growth, the Nigerian government continues to invest in the development of promising startups. Through initiatives like the 4AIR program, the government aims to propel Nigeria further into the digital era, while revolutionizing the agricultural sector and addressing food security challenges.
It is expected that these chosen startups will utilize the grant effectively by implementing cutting-edge technologies, contributing to increased efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture. By leveraging the power of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Nigeria’s agricultural landscape is poised for transformative growth in line with global trends.
This represents a significant step towards realizing President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a modern, innovative, and technology-driven agricultural sector. As the startups commence their journey with the support of the government, the nation anticipates exciting and impactful outcomes that will spur overall economic development and job creation.
As progress in the agricultural sector becomes intertwined with advancements in technology, these grants signal a clear intention to leverage the transformative power of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. By fostering innovation and collaboration between government and startups, Nigeria is poised to become a major force in the global agricultural industry. The future looks promising as these 10 startups embark on their journey of realizing their technological solutions for a sustainable agricultural sector.
