Silicon Valley professionals, Federal Government officials, and Imo State representatives at the pre-launch of the Founder Dojo programme in Abuja.
Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem is set for a major lift as the Imo State Government, in partnership with the United States Market Access Center (US.MAC) and the Federal Government, rolls out a nationwide mentoring and startup acceleration programme modeled after Silicon Valley.
The initiative, unveiled at a pre-launch event in Abuja, will feature hackathons, boot camps, and a rigorous selection process designed to nurture globally competitive Nigerian start-ups.
Speaking at the project’s pre-launch in Abuja, Special Assistant to the President Bola Tinubu on ICT Development and Digital Innovation, Mr. Tokoni Peter represented by his Technical Adviser, Mr. Amukoyo Onome, said the initiative which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s job creation agenda, serve as a turning point for young innovators.
“This programme gives Nigerians the opportunity to start as micro and small enterprises and scale into companies that can operate not only within Nigeria but globally,” Inuita said.
“Investors from Silicon Valley are already on ground, which will build confidence, attract foreign direct investment, and prepare our startups to compete internationally.”
Dr. Chris Burry, CEO of US.MAC, underscored that the survival of startups depends not just on ideas but on adaptability and learning.
“The speed of learning happens in different ways the learning from your customers, the learning when you enter a new market, and most importantly, the learning about yourself,” Burry noted.
“A founder must be open to reflection and self-growth.”
Colin Donohue, Co-founder of Global Innovation Dojo, emphasized Nigeria’s economic potential, saying the programme seeks to tilt the odds in favor of entrepreneurs capable of scaling globally.
“The economic impact comes from resilient leaders who not only build one successful company but go on to create more. One major exit can produce dozens of other valuable businesses,” Donohue said.
According to Matt Ifesieh, US.MAC Africa Representative, the project marks “the first large-scale presence of Silicon Valley professionals on-site in Nigeria” and could significantly boost revenue generation and foreign direct investment.
“The goal is to identify around 2,000 applicants, narrow them to 100, and ultimately select a handful of outstanding startups with global potential,” he explained.
He added that the program, delivered in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley, could significantly boost Nigeria’s revenue base and foreign investment inflows.
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