The Nigerian Tech Ecosystem and the Myth of Collaboration Between Innovation Hubs
Over the past decade, Nigeria has emerged as a continental powerhouse in technology and digital innovation. With Lagos often heralded as “Africa’s Silicon Valley” and other cities like Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Kaduna developing vibrant tech scenes, the country is teeming with entrepreneurial energy.
Central to this evolution has been the rise of innovation hubs—spaces that provide structure, support, and community for early-stage startups. From CcHub in Lagos to AXIA Hub in Jos and Wennovation Hub in Ibadan, these centres have become critical infrastructure for Nigeria’s digital economy. They offer coworking spaces, mentorship, access to funding, skills development programs, and a sense of belonging to a larger ecosystem. For many entrepreneurs, innovation hubs are the first point of contact with the tech world—a launchpad from idea to execution.
But while these hubs are essential nodes in the Nigerian tech ecosystem, the narrative of collaboration between them—often promoted by policymakers, funders, and ecosystem advocates—remains more ideal than reality.
The Collaboration Narrative: More Talk Than Action
In theory, collaboration between hubs should accelerate innovation. Imagine a health tech startup in Kaduna gaining UX expertise from a design lab in Lagos or an agritech initiative in Enugu integrating data systems from a civic tech collective in Abuja. A connected ecosystem would encourage knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and scaling of successful models across regions.
But in practice, this kind of meaningful inter-hub collaboration is rare. Instead, innovation hubs often operate in silos—geographically, strategically, and even ideologically.
What’s Holding Collaboration Back?
- Competition for Scarce Resources
Many hubs operate in a survivalist environment. With limited funding, donor attention, and partnership opportunities, hubs often view each other as rivals rather than collaborators. This fosters insularity and protectionism. - Lack of a Coordinated National Framework
While Nigeria has broad digital economy policies, there has historically been no dedicated framework guiding how innovation hubs should work together. Without shared goals, standards, or governance, many hubs focus inward rather than seeking partnership. - Regional and Cultural Fragmentation
Nigeria’s regional diversity is a strength, but it also creates barriers to collaboration. Differing languages, market conditions, infrastructure, and access to policy support create unequal playing fields that make cooperation difficult. - Absence of Shared Infrastructure
Most hubs build their own systems from scratch—accelerator programs, mentorship networks, and community engagement strategies—often duplicating efforts and missing opportunities for synergy. - Funders’ Short-Termism
While some funders push for “collaborative” proposals, they rarely invest in the systems, trust-building, and long-term engagement required for true partnership. The result: shallow, one-off collaborations that look good on paper but offer little real impact.
The Cost of Isolation
The cost of this fragmentation is significant. Promising ideas remain locked in local contexts, unable to scale nationally. Startups miss out on broader talent and resource networks. Policy advocacy remains weak because ecosystem voices are not united. Nigeria’s innovation economy is growing—but not compounding.
What Needs to Change?
- Purpose-Driven Collaborative Projects
Encourage long-term partnerships between hubs through funded initiatives like multi-hub incubators, national policy labs, and regional innovation challenges that require cooperation to succeed. - Establish a National Innovation Hub Network — Already Underway
One significant step toward bridging this gap is the work of the Innovation Support Network (ISN). A growing community of over 100 innovation hubs across Nigeria, ISN is helping to coordinate the ecosystem, foster shared goals, and advocate for collective interests. It provides a structured platform to share resources, align programs, and amplify impact. ISN is one of the clearest efforts so far in transforming the myth of collaboration into reality. - Invest in Shared Knowledge Systems
Developing open-source platforms or an “innovation commons” where hubs can share toolkits, data, case studies, and playbooks would dramatically accelerate ecosystem maturity. With ISN’s coordination, this kind of shared infrastructure becomes more feasible. - Build Ecosystem Trust and Leadership
True collaboration is built on trust. Cross-hub leadership retreats, joint training programs, and peer mentorship networks can strengthen relationships and create a culture of cooperation. - Shift the Narrative
The stories we tell shape what we value. Instead of focusing solely on “hero hubs” or lone unicorns, Nigeria’s tech media and stakeholders should highlight successful joint ventures—startups or programs born from genuine inter-hub collaboration.
Conclusion: From Myth to Movement
Innovation hubs like AXIA Hub, CcHub, Wennovation Hub, and others across Nigeria are the beating heart of the country’s tech ecosystem. But for Nigeria to truly become a continental innovation leader, these hubs must evolve from isolated actors into interconnected allies.
Fortunately, efforts like the Innovation Support Network (ISN) show that a more collaborative future is possible—and already underway. By embracing structured cooperation, aligned incentives, and a shared vision, Nigeria can finally turn the collaboration myth into a movement of innovation.
Nnamdi Ibe, Founder
Axia Technology and Innovation Hub
Nigeria