Nigeria Selects 37 Hubs to Support Startups Nationwide

Nigeria is making sure every state has a place where entrepreneurs can turn their ideas into thriving businesses.

The iHatch program just announced it will select 37 innovation hubs across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for its fifth cohort. Each chosen hub will provide yearlong incubation, mentoring, and training for local startups using a standardized national framework.

Innovation hubs interested in leading their region's cohort have until Monday, March 16, 2026, to apply. The selected hubs will become part of a nationwide network designed to give entrepreneurs equal access to resources, no matter where they live.

This approach tackles a common problem in many countries: startup support clusters in major cities while rural areas get left behind. By placing hubs in every state, iHatch ensures an entrepreneur in a small town has the same quality mentorship as someone in Lagos or Abuja.

The standardized framework means startups across Nigeria will receive consistent, high-quality training. Whether a founder is building an agriculture tech solution in the north or a fintech platform in the south, they'll have access to proven methods for growing their business.

The Ripple Effect

When startups succeed, entire communities benefit. New businesses create jobs for neighbors, solve local problems with innovative solutions, and keep talented young people from leaving their hometowns to find opportunities elsewhere.

The nationwide approach also helps hubs learn from each other. A mentoring technique that works brilliantly in one state can be shared across the network, lifting the quality of support everywhere.

By investing in infrastructure that supports entrepreneurs in every corner of the country, Nigeria is building an innovation ecosystem that doesn't leave anyone behind.