Tinubu made the remarks on Friday during the foundation-laying ceremony for the Renewed Hope Startup Hub, an initiative involving the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

She said the project aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, skills development and sustainable job creation.

According to the First Lady, startup hubs can provide young innovators with the facilities, technical support and opportunities needed to develop their ideas and compete in international markets.

Addressing prospective beneficiaries, she encouraged young people to take advantage of the facility to transform their concepts into practical products and viable businesses.

She also commended the Japanese government and JICA for supporting the project, describing the partnership as an example of international cooperation aimed at expanding opportunities for Nigeria’s youthful population.

NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the agency’s collaboration with JICA had focused on strengthening Nigeria’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem through capacity building, knowledge transfer and infrastructure development.

He explained that the proposed hub would provide a space for startup development, industry collaboration, technical support and engagement with international partners.

The facility is expected to offer access to digital fabrication equipment, prototyping facilities and other resources that can help entrepreneurs develop and test products before taking them to market.

The project also forms part of wider efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s startup ecosystem and encourage the development of new businesses, particularly those using technology and innovation to address economic and social challenges.

Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, welcomed the continued cooperation between both countries, highlighting technology and education as important areas for partnership.

Official JICA project documents show that the agency signed a grant agreement with the Nigerian government in April 2025 for the development of a startup hub in Abuja. The project is designed to expand opportunities for manufacturing businesses and improve collaboration among stakeholders in the startup ecosystem.

The investment is intended to support infrastructure development, equipment installation and technical assistance. However, published estimates of the project’s dollar value differ, so the final investment figure should be confirmed against the relevant project documentation.

The hub is expected to contribute to Nigeria’s wider digital and entrepreneurial development by giving innovators access to resources that may otherwise be difficult to obtain.

Its long-term impact will depend on how effectively the facility is completed, equipped and made accessible to entrepreneurs, including young people outside the Federal Capital Territory.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia