FG Urges Investment in Innovation Hubs to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Economy
The Federal Government has called for increased investment in innovation hubs and technology spaces across the country, saying stronger support for local ecosystems is critical to developing talent, creating jobs and diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, made the call in Abuja at the National Innovation Hub Standards Framework Validation Workshop organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Tijani said Nigeria’s technology success stories could not be sustained without strengthening the innovation hubs and ecosystem builders that provide entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, networks, knowledge and other support required to turn ideas into viable businesses.
He said while prominent technology companies often attract public attention, the hubs and grassroots communities that nurture such enterprises were frequently overlooked.
“Imagine if we had all the hubs in Nigeria at the same level of quality as the best hubs in the country. There would be more technology businesses, more innovation and better opportunities across the country,” he said.
The Minister said government’s investments in fibre-optic connectivity, telecommunications infrastructure and satellite technology must be matched with investments in people and institutions capable of converting digital infrastructure into economic opportunities.
He also identified digital identity, cloud infrastructure and other digital ecosystem components as areas receiving government attention, but stressed that infrastructure alone could not deliver sustainable economic transformation.
Tijani, who drew from his experience managing a technology hub, said stronger innovation ecosystems would enable young Nigerians to develop local solutions while creating employment, generating tax revenue and contributing to national growth.
He urged hub managers to learn from successful innovation ecosystems around the world and strengthen knowledge transfer and documentation of global best practices.
Speaking at the event, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, said the proposed National Innovation Hub Standards Framework would provide hubs with a structured pathway to assess their capabilities, identify gaps and improve their level of maturity.
“Innovation does not happen in isolation; it happens in an ecosystem. And that ecosystem does not happen by accident; it happens by design,” Inuwa said.
He disclosed that NITDA’s research had identified more than 339 innovation hubs across Nigeria, although a significant number were concentrated in Lagos, Abuja and about 10 other states.
According to him, the imbalance has left many hubs outside the major technology centres functioning largely as training facilities, rather than full-fledged innovation, incubation and entrepreneurship centres.
Inuwa said the proposed framework, comprising seven key dimensions and about 35 assessment categories, was designed as a guide rather than a rigid regulatory instrument.
He said the framework would help hubs improve their operations and provide innovators with access to facilities, investors, businesses, government policies and other support needed to build sustainable enterprises.
The NITDA chief also called for greater private-sector participation in providing risk capital, stressing that government alone could not finance the growth of startups and emerging businesses.
He further advocated stronger university-industry collaboration, saying higher institutions must play a more active role in research, entrepreneurship, digital skills development and partnerships with industry.
Inuwa said NITDA was already working with the Federal Ministry of Education to integrate digital skills into formal education.
He urged hub founders, investors, development partners, academia and government institutions to contribute to the refinement of the draft framework.
He said a stronger network of innovation hubs across Nigeria would enable communities to harness local talent, develop solutions to local challenges and reduce the pressure on innovators to relocate to Lagos, Abuja and other major cities to access opportunities.
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