iHatch Cohort 5: ONDI unveils selected innovation hubs across 36 states and FCT

The Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) has formally unveiled the selected innovation hubs for iHatch Cohort 5, marking another major step in Nigeria’s effort to deepen grassroots innovation and strengthen startup support systems across the country.

Under the Cohort 5 structure, one hub has been selected in each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), creating a nationwide network of local innovation centres tasked with supporting founders, coordinating startup activities, and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems in their respective regions.

The initiative reflects ONDI’s broader strategy of decentralising innovation support beyond major commercial cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, ensuring that startup founders in every state have access to structured local support.

Why the iHatch hub model matters

Nigeria’s startup ecosystem has continued to expand rapidly, but access to incubation, mentorship, funding networks, and startup infrastructure remains uneven across states.

Through iHatch Cohort 5, ONDI is attempting to close that gap by creating state-level innovation anchors that can:

• Support early-stage startup founders
• Provide local incubation and mentorship services
• Coordinate innovation programmes in underserved regions
• Connect founders with national innovation opportunities
• Build stronger startup communities at state level

The selected hubs will now serve as ONDI’s local implementation partners, helping translate national innovation goals into practical state-based impact.

Building a distributed innovation ecosystem

The “One Hub Per State” model is significant because it shifts innovation development from a centralised urban pattern to a distributed national ecosystem.

This means founders in states such as Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Taraba, and Bayelsa can now connect with recognised local innovation structures rather than relying solely on hubs in Nigeria’s larger cities.

For startup founders, this creates easier access to:

• Training programmes
• Business advisory services
• Networking opportunities
• Startup acceleration support
• Regional innovation events

According to ONDI, the selected hubs will become the first point of contact for founders seeking engagement within the iHatch programme in their respective states.

Full list of iHatch Cohort 5 selected hubs by state

South East

• Abia – Softicu Tech Hub
• Anambra – TEKHUB
• Ebonyi – MOBILEGIGO LTD
• Enugu – Roar Nigeria Hub
• Imo – Uru Tech Hub / Libertas Alpha Technologies

South South

• Akwa Ibom – Start Innovation Hub
• Bayelsa – AGM TECHPLUSE NG
• Cross River – Lookoos Co-Creative Hub
• Delta – Digitalabode
• Edo – Mid Town Tech Hub
• Rivers – Cole Tech Yard (Ctech)

South West

• Ekiti – Brainbench Technology Nig Ltd
• Lagos – Premier Hub Innovation Center
• Ogun – NEYI Techprenuership Hub
• Ondo – The Growth Hub
• Osun – Oroki Innovation Hub Limited
• Oyo – Ennovate Lab

North Central

• Benue – Hub 17 Nigeria
• FCT – Start Studio Innovation Hub by Center for Strategic Enterprise Development
• Kogi – Mentor-Box Foundation
• Kwara – Founders Hub
• Nasarawa – Digital Nasarawa Innovation Hub
• Niger – Paritie Innovation Hub
• Plateau – Axia Hub

North East

• Adamawa – BCH Hub
• Bauchi – Startup Bauchi
• Borno – Innotech Ideation Hub
• Gombe – Dopal Technologies Ltd
• Taraba – GRADENET DIGITAL HUB
• Yobe – GONI NEXUS ENTERPRISE LIMITED

North West

• Jigawa – Start Up Jigawa
• Kaduna – Stonetech Square
• Kano – Enovate Lab
• Katsina – Lumilab Innovations Hub
• Kebbi – Startup Kebbi
• Sokoto – 21st Century Entrepreneurs Hub
• Zamfara – Venturelab Innovation Hub

What founders should do next

Startup founders are expected to identify their state hubs and begin engagement through them for programme participation, local ecosystem events, and startup support opportunities.

This state-based connection model is expected to improve startup discovery, reduce participation barriers, and increase regional innovation inclusion.

A stronger national innovation network

The selection of 37 hubs under iHatch Cohort 5 signals a growing maturity in Nigeria’s innovation architecture.

Rather than concentrating opportunities in a few urban clusters, ONDI’s latest rollout strengthens the foundation for a more balanced national startup economy—one where innovation can emerge from every corner of the country.

If effectively implemented, the hub network could become one of the most important channels for identifying and scaling Nigeria’s next generation of founders.

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