The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is warning Nigerians of a fraudulent website circulating in the media. The ‘so-called’ platform is claiming to be a National Startup Investment Fund Programme and calling for applications.
According to the site, the program is being supervised by the Federal Ministry of Industry, trade, and Investment. It also claimed that it is in partnership with the AfDB and Bank of Industry (Bol).
Note: AfDB – African Development Bank.
BoI – Bank of Industry.
Read more: Nig Tech Summit: Future/Contribution of Tech In Nigeria
The Aim Of The Fraudulent website
The website is created to deceive people. To do that, the site put up the Nigeria Startup Act, which was recently signed by President Buhari.
This is to paint the picture that the program is the startup fund mandated to be set up by the government. So tricky of them right?
Words From The Federal Government
Reacting to this, the federal government has warned everyone not to release personal information on the website. In its words, it said,
“The attention of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has been drawn to an Investment Fund Programme named “National Startup Investment Fund Programme“, accessible via (https://nationalstartupinvestmentfund.com) being purported to be from the federal government and requesting for individuals and startups in Nigeria to apply.”
“NITDA is hereby notifying the general public that the federal government has nothing to do with this program as being purported by the site. Additionally. NITDA advises the general public to avoid and desist from divulging personal information on this website and urges unsuspecting Nigerians to only visit official websites of government agencies to confirm the authenticity of any grant schemes or investment fund programs.” It added
More Disclosure
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami said the president has approved Investment Fund for young innovators. The investment Fund is worth N10 billion. He also revealed that the fund the fraudulent site is claiming to represent has not been set up by the government.
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