The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says startups supported under its iHatch programme have created more than 2,500 direct and indirect jobs across Nigeria, highlighting the growing role of innovation hubs in driving economic growth and digital entrepreneurship.
The agency disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the iHatch Cohort 5 Hub Upskilling Programme Physical Residency Week held at Chida Hotel, Abuja, where the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, called on innovation hubs to become stronger drivers of Nigeria’s digital economy agenda.
Speaking through the Acting Director of NITDA’s IT Department, Dr Amina Mogaji Sambo, the DG said the iHatch programme has grown from a pilot initiative in Abuja into a nationwide innovation support platform with 74 innovation hubs spread across the country.
According to him, the programme has recorded over 13,000 startup applications across different cohorts while building a structured support system that helps startups move from idea stage to market readiness.
He noted that beyond startup incubation, the programme is already delivering measurable economic impact through employment generation, partnerships and innovation development.
“Startups supported under the programme have already created over 500 direct jobs and generated more than 1,500 indirect jobs,” the DG said.
He added that some of the startups participating in the programme have also secured international opportunities and partnerships, further positioning Nigeria’s startup ecosystem for global relevance.
The Residency Week formed part of activities under the iHatch Cohort 5 Hub Upskilling Programme, which brought together selected Hub Managers from across Nigeria for intensive engagement focused on strengthening innovation ecosystem development.
A total of 37 innovation hubs representing all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were selected into Cohort 5 after what NITDA described as a rigorous and transparent selection process involving both internal and external stakeholders, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The five-day residency programme, organised by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation, focused on peer learning, institutional sustainability, startup support systems and collaboration among innovation hubs nationwide.
Inuwa stressed that innovation hubs, also known as Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs), remain critical to Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy through technology, productivity and innovation.
“You are not real estate managers or event organisers. You are the connective tissue of a national innovation system,” he told participants.
According to him, countries that successfully build strong economies are not only resource-rich nations but countries that have systems capable of transforming ideas into scalable value.
He explained that Nigeria’s youthful population and growing technology ecosystem provide a major opportunity for economic expansion if innovation hubs are properly strengthened.
“If we strengthen the hubs, we strengthen everything downstream,” he said.
The DG also described innovation hubs as one of Nigeria’s most underutilised national assets, urging Hub Managers to take their responsibilities seriously as their work would influence startup growth, innovation scalability and regional participation in the digital economy.
He added that the role of innovation intermediaries goes beyond providing workspaces, noting that hubs are expected to connect entrepreneurs with mentorship, market access, investors and policy support.
“You are nation builders. The work you do will determine how quickly Nigeria achieves its $1 trillion ambition,” Inuwa said.
