The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FBCS today described IT as new oil Nigeria could tap into to diversify the nation’s economy. 
Dr Pantami stated this today in Gombe, Gombe State capital during the 8th Edition of the Start-Up Friday, an event put together by the Office for ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIIE), a Special Purpose Vehicle created by NITDA. 
NITDA boss maintained that for Nigeria to successfully diversify her economy, the country should discontinue her over reliance on oil and gas as many countries have discovered ICT as alternative to oil. 
Describing ICT as Nigeria’s second contributor to Gross Domestic Product, he said that the nation needs to put more effort in ensuring the economy is diversified using IT as driver, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari has given matching order to NITDA and other ICT stakeholders to ensure that the economy is diversified through ICT. 
The DG advised the Start-Ups to be ready to learn more, keep in touch with one another, share ideas if they wish to be successful.
Earlier, the Governor of the State,  Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who was represented at the event by the Head of Service, Alhaji Adamu H. Abubakar called on the youths to explore the opportunity offered by the Start-Up Friday to get themselves engaged. 
The highlight of the event was the pitching of Ideas by the Start-Ups, award of certificates and prize giving to the Start-Ups.