NITDA Moves to Standardise Innovation Hubs, Expand Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem

NITDA Moves to Standardise Innovation Hubs, Expand Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commenced efforts to standardise innovation hubs across Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to decentralise the country’s technology ecosystem and unlock opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and startups beyond the traditional technology centres of Lagos and Abuja.

The initiative was unveiled at the National Innovation Hub Standards Framework Technical Validation Workshop held on Thursday at the Abuja Continental Hotel, where innovation hub operators, investors, development partners, academics, government officials and other stakeholders gathered to review and validate the proposed National Innovation Hub Standards Framework.

Speaking at the workshop, NITDA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the framework as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to build a more inclusive and balanced innovation ecosystem.

“Today, for me, marks a remarkable milestone in our journey of making innovation evenly distributed across Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, innovation thrives within well-designed ecosystems that provide entrepreneurs with the support needed to transform ideas into commercially viable solutions.

He explained that innovation hubs have evolved into critical drivers of technology ecosystems by offering spaces where innovators, students and startups can collaborate, access mentorship and funding, and develop solutions capable of reaching the market.

Abdullahi stressed that the proposed standards framework was designed as a guide rather than a regulatory instrument, enabling innovation hubs to evaluate their strengths, identify operational gaps and chart clear…