Nigeria Seeks 37 Hubs to Power Startups Nationwide

Nigeria is spreading startup support to every corner of the country, including regions that have watched tech success stories unfold from the sidelines.

The iHatch program has opened applications for innovation hubs in all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory to become official Hub Managers for its fifth cohort. Each selected hub will deliver structured incubation programming for at least one year, coordinating founder training, mentorship, and business growth support within their state.

This isn't just another startup accelerator. The program, run by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation under the National Information Technology Development Agency in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency, focuses on strengthening the hubs themselves first.

The strategy is simple but powerful: better hubs create better founders. By equipping regional innovation centers with standardized curriculum frameworks and coordinated oversight, iHatch aims to ensure a founder in any Nigerian state receives the same quality support as one in Lagos or Abuja.

For hubs outside traditional tech clusters, this represents a direct connection to a federally backed innovation network with international partnership support. Eligible hubs must have operated for at least one year, demonstrate startup support experience, show ecosystem engagement, and possess suitable physical infrastructure for incubation activities.

The approach addresses a structural challenge facing African tech ecosystems: uneven access to quality support. While deal volume and funding headlines often dominate conversations, many early stage founders operate without formal incubation systems, especially outside major cities.

The Ripple Effect

This model could reshape how Nigeria builds its startup ecosystem from the ground up. When every state has a capable innovation hub, founders in smaller cities gain access to the same resources that have powered success stories in tech capitals.

The program standardizes incubation quality nationwide, which means investors could eventually engage with better prepared founders from more diverse regions. It also strengthens collaboration between state level hubs and national stakeholders, creating a connected network instead of isolated pockets of innovation.

For a continent watching Nigeria's position as a leading African tech hub, this represents a shift toward ecosystem depth over just deal volume. Regional hubs become engines of local opportunity, training the next generation of founders where they live rather than requiring migration to established clusters.

Applications close March 16, and interested hubs can apply through the official portal at ondi.nitda.gov.ng. Information sessions are available on ONDINigeria's YouTube and LinkedIn channels.

Nigeria is building an innovation infrastructure that reaches everywhere, proving that great ideas can come from any state when the right support systems exist.